The best climate apps: An overview

worldwatchers climatecompass:

The German-language app produced by the climate company worldwatchers is uncluttered and has an appealing design. One pleasing aspect is that you don’t have to create a user account.

First, your personal CO₂-Balance calculated: data such as housing, nutrition, mobility, shopping, leisure, holidays, digital life and public emissions. This is comprehensive and pleasingly detailed: So you can e.g. under “Mobility,” also select car sharing. To compare with your total CO consumption₂ is based on the German average, which Worldwatchers puts at 11.2 tonnes per year. The app also invites you to take on challenges and collect “climate points”: For example, at Level 1, you are challenged to take three vegetarian days or limit your streaming time to four hours a week.For each challenge, you will receive brief, valuable background information on the climate impact (for example, did you know that two hours of streaming 1.2 kg CO₂ eject?). Points collected then unlock higher challenge levels.If that’s not enough, you can join the climate protection campaign “klimathon” via the app. Finally, a barcode scanner is integrated that allows you to look up the carbon footprint of individual products – at least in theory: unfortunately there are many items it doesn't recognise. Another weakness is the input menu for your CO₂-Balance sheet, that’s easy.

Eevie

Eevie is an English-language app that allows you to get started without a profile or login: the only thing it asks you to enter is your country of residence, for comparative purposes. Its design is clear and attractive. 

The app bases your footprint on your living space, your road mileage, your meat consumption and your purchase of consumer goods. Unfortunately, the questionnaire is not very detailed: Thus, e.g. under “Travel,” only the kilometres on the road, options such as car sharing are completely lacking, and your electricity consumption is not even an issue. 

Eevie then breaks down your footprint according to the sources. One point we like is that the app suggests specific “new habits” that can make your everyday life more climate-friendly: For example, by replacing red meat with fish or plant-based alternatives or learning about the zero-waste lifestyle. The app tracks your new habits by asking you questions; at the same time, it keeps a record of how much CO₂ you save. Eevie also provides background information, statistics, links to media articles and practical tips such as meat-free recipes.  

The “offset” category also offers you the option of a CO₂-Compensation by donating to selected projects. What’s more, you can hook up with friends and get involved in the community.