Encouraging climate action with a sustainability rewards program
A sustainability rewards program is a digital system that assigns value or rewards to environmentally friendly behavior. Participants can earn points by taking sustainable actions — for example, by recycling, shopping locally, or choosing to bike instead of drive.
Often in theses programs, the rewards are directly linked to measurable CO₂ reductions, giving each action a tangible environmental value. Beyond recognition, these rewards can also be used as a form of payment or exchange, further encouraging sustainable choices in everyday life.
The city, with all its services and offerings, becomes the playing field for effective climate protection gamification.
Klima-Taler as an example for a sustainability rewards system
Anyone who uses sustainability rewards to promote local climate action needs a system that provides real value to citizens. Simply knowing about climate change does not change everyday habits. But when this knowledge is linked to a direct personal benefit, that benefit becomes a lasting source of motivation for climate protection.
A good example is the Klima-Taler initiative, which is already being successfully implemented in more than 50 cities and municipalities. With the Klima-Taler app, residents can playfully earn sustainability rewards and redeem them for valuable regional products and services.
In this way, the program acts as a local sustainability rewards system, encouraging citizens to adopt and maintain climate-friendly behavior over the long term.
How the sustainability rewards program works
For every verifiable CO₂ reduction of 5 kg — for example, by cycling, using public transport, or engaging in energy-saving behaviors — participants earn a sustainability reward. These rewards can then be redeemed with local partners, for instance for discounts in shops, vouchers for leisure activities, or reduced fees at sports clubs.
For citizens, a sustainability rewards program like Klima-Taler offers tangible benefits. It creates incentives for climate-friendly behavior, making personal efforts visible and measurable.
In addition, Klima-Taler provides a connection through its dedicated app, which also serves as a platform for many other features. The sustainability rewards earned can be used practically — for example, for discounts, vouchers, or donations.
The program links personal benefit with societal value, motivating citizens to make sustainable choices over the long term and integrating local climate action into everyday life.
Strengthening local businesses
The sustainability rewards program not only encourages climate-friendly behavior, but also strengthens local engagement and the regional economy. Merchants participating as program partners attract new customers through their commitment to climate action. The rewards app directly guides users to the stores and municipal facilities offering sustainability rewards.
Local climate action becomes visible through the sustainability rewards program
Another advantage of this sustainability rewards program is the ability to measure CO₂ savings. The Klima-Taler app anonymously and in a data-protection-compliant way tracks how much CO₂ is saved through different activities and makes this information transparent for everyone. As a participating municipality with a sustainability rewards program, you also get a dedicated dashboard that can be integrated into the city’s website.
Easily promote local climate protection
Klima-Taler is a successful example of a digital bonus and incentive system. It is easy to implement and motivates people to reduce CO2 emissions over the long term. More than 50 cities are already participating in the program.
If you want to learn how to easily use a sustainability rewards program in your city or municipality to advance local climate action, feel free to contact us!
Markus Schulz
markus@klima-taler.com
