Q: How do you choose projects?

We wrote a full blog post about this here . Read on for a quick summary: We only choose projects from the most impactful climate solutions worldwide, as identified by Project Drawdown , a nonprofit that conducts rigorous assessments of climate solutions and represents a leading resource in our field. Also, all our projects must meet the highest international quality standards for certified carbon offsetting, and are verified through the Verified Carbon Standard, or the Gold Standard developed by WWF and other NGOs. On top of that, all our projects provide at least three additional benefits to their local communities that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These range from combating poverty, protecting endangered species, empowering female entrepreneurship, or advancing access to healthcare and education.

Question 1

What does Klima do?

Accepted Answer

Klima is a climate app that allows you to go carbon neutral immediately and sustainably. Klima helps you to offset your emissions, reduce your carbon footprint and multiply your climate impact. Here’s how:

Offset: Calculate your carbon footprint. Then offset your emissions by supporting verified climate projects that remove or reduce the same emissions elsewhere.
Reduce: Get personalized tips on how to live climate-healthy. Commit to impactful lifestyle changes and minimize your emissions one step at a time.
Multiply: Inspire friends and watch your impact as a leader for change. See exactly how much CO2 is saved because of your advocacy and its multiplying effect.

Question 2

Who is behind Klima?

Accepted Answer

Klima is a social startup from Berlin, with a growing team of mission-driven designers, engineers, marketeers, and changemakers from five continents. Together, we’re united by one goal: making a measurable dent in the fight against global warming.

Klima was founded in 2019 by Markus Gilles, Jonas Brandau, and Andreas Pursian-Ehrlich. They first met 10 years ago while working for different sustainable development NGOs and have since founded several tech-for-good companies, aimed at promoting civil discourse, quality journalism, and women’s empowerment. They started Klima to commit their resources to the most important challenge of our lifetime — and empower others to do so as well.

Interested in joining the team? Check out our jobs page.

Question 3

Are you a non-profit?

Accepted Answer

We’re not, and here’s why: We have years, not decades, to reverse global warming. This means we need to reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. In other words — we need to scale fast.

One surefire way to do that? Put investment dollars into a robust, impact-first business model. That way we make sure to achieve the biggest climate impact we can.

Since December 2021, Klima is a certified B-Corp, a new kind of enterprise that balances business and purpose. After all, we consider the climate to be our biggest shareholder — and a healthy planet is the best dividend.

Question 4

How do you choose projects?

Accepted Answer

We wrote a full blog post about this here. Read on for a quick summary:

We only choose projects from the most impactful climate solutions worldwide, as identified by Project Drawdown, a nonprofit that conducts rigorous assessments of climate solutions and represents a leading resource in our field.

Also, all our projects must meet the highest international quality standards for certified carbon offsetting, and are verified through the Verified Carbon Standard, or the Gold Standard developed by WWF and other NGOs.

On top of that, all our projects provide at least three additional benefits to their local communities that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These range from combating poverty, protecting endangered species, empowering female entrepreneurship, or advancing access to healthcare and education.

Question 5

What is CO2e?

Accepted Answer

CO2e — or carbon dioxide equivalent — describes the global warming potential of all greenhouse gases. In other words, the impact of different greenhouse gases is expressed in terms of the amount of CO2 that would result in the same amount of warming. Put simply, CO2e gathers all greenhouse gases into one place. As human activities don’t only generate carbon dioxide, CO2e is a more accurate way to measure our emissions. If you'd like to learn more about this term, take a look here.

Question 6

Can climate change be stopped with offsetting alone?

Accepted Answer

There is no single solution to stop climate change — it’s going to take creativity, dedication, and action from us all. Carbon offsetting is one big piece of that puzzle.

While political regulation or cleantech inventions can take decades to be implemented, offsetting allows you to take your footprint off the planet. right. now. That’s a big advantage and it’s why Klima starts here and then shares ways to reduce your footprint further.

We encourage the Klima community to adopt climate-healthy lifestyles and support political action to fight climate change. It's crucial that we work on every front, pushing for short-term and long-term solutions that make our societies carbon neutral.

Question 7

Why are Klima’s three impact strategies crucial for the climate?

Accepted Answer

We have structured Klima’s offset portfolio around three clear and crucial impact areas that we’ll all need to tackle in order to solve climate change in a sustainable, efficient, and just way. These three areas are:

Nature: planting trees
Tech: solar energy
Social: clean cook stoves

By combining natural, technological, and social solutions, we empower holistic climate action that revives our ecosystems, pushes green innovation, and benefits communities. You can read more here.

Question 8

How do you calculate my individual carbon footprint?

Accepted Answer

We calculate your footprint based on precise lifestyle questions that we combine with a national baseline of the country you live in. This gets us a close estimate based on your individual circumstances and personal choices.

All questions are designed for intuitive responses via a multiple-choice chat interface, and the setup takes about three minutes. Examples of questions include “What best describes your diet?”, “What kind of shopper are you?”, or “How many flights do you take per year?”

And don't worry, you can recalculate your carbon footprint anytime!

To update your carbon footprint to match any lifestyle changes or add more granularity to your footprint calculation, head to our Reduce tab, scroll down to your footprint summary, and tap on one of your lifestyle areas. Your footprint hasn't changed but you want to modify your offsetting plan? Just navigate to the Offset Tab and tap on your subscription to freely adjust your offsetting performance. It's that easy!

Question 9

Does offsetting drive climate-damaging behavior?

Accepted Answer

Actually, the opposite is true. Studies show that people who offset their carbon emissions are more climate friendly in other parts of their lives, too. That makes sense: When you’re personally invested in a cause, you want it to succeed.

Question 10

Where is Klima available?

Accepted Answer

We’re available in the Apple AppStore and Google Play Store worldwide.

Question 11

I’ve reduced my footprint, can I change my offset plan?

Accepted Answer

Of course, you can change your plan at any time!

If you'd like to update your carbon footprint to match any lifestyle changes, or if you simply want to add more granularity to your footprint calculation, head to our Reduce tab, scroll down to your footprint summary, and tap on one of your lifestyle areas (Travel, Diet, Mobility, Consumption, Home) to add greater detail to your result.

Once you’ve recalculated your carbon footprint, you’ll be asked if you want to adjust your offsets accordingly. Hit confirm and your plan will be updated with the next billing period.

Your footprint hasn't changed but you want to modify your offsetting plan? Just navigate to the Offset Tab and tap on your subscription to freely adjust your offsetting performance. It's that easy!

Question 12

How can I restore my account after changing devices?

Accepted Answer

No worries, if you delete the app or change devices, your offsets are still active and you’re still carbon neutral. After re-installing Klima, tap “login” in the upper right and sign in with the same method you used to create your account. Everything will be right where it should be.

Question 13

What should I do if the app freezes or doesn’t work properly?

Accepted Answer

We all hate when technology doesn’t do what it should. Crashes or freezes can happen for many reasons. Luckily, most of the time they can be fixed with some simple steps. Please try the following first:

Check your internet connection.
Force-quit and reopen the app. This often solves the issue.
Make sure you have the most recent update of the app and operating system installed.
Restart your device.

If none of this works, help us fix the problem by reporting your issue. Just go to Settings and tap “Contact us / Help”. Alternatively, you can write to us directly via support@klima.com. Please include the following information:

What phone model and OS version did you use when the problem occurred?
How were you using the app when you received the error?
Provide screenshots if possible.

Question 14

How do I update my payment information?

Accepted Answer

To change your payment information, simply go to Settings in the app, and tap on Subscription. At the bottom of the Subscription page, tap on your credit card number. Please note: if you've cancelled your subscription, you won’t be able to change your payment information.

Question 15

How can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

Can’t find what you’re looking for here? Reach out! We love to chat. You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook anytime. While you’re there, make sure to give us a follow.

For general inquiries and press, please contact hi@klima.com. We look forward to chatting!

For help with your Klima subscription, or inquiries about our service, please contact support@klima.com. We’re here to help, please give it up to 24 hours to do so.

Question 16

Is my data protected?

Accepted Answer

Of course. We’re committed to protecting your information and privacy and we will never sell your information to a third party. You can read our full data protection policy here.

Frequently asked questions

About Klima

About Offsets

About Membership

More questions?

Frequently asked questions ✍️

About Klima

About Offsets

About Membership

More questions?

Frequently asked questions