THE SCHWARZENEGGER CLIMATE INITIATIVE
focuses on:
- building awareness of the climate crisis and the urgent need for action every day and once a year at our AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT (AWS). The AWS, entering its fifth year, has become one of the largest environmental gatherings in the world and provides a platform for highlighting concrete solutions and measures from global decision-makers committed to preserving a healthy planet and decarbonizing the economy by 2050.
- presenting workable solutions from all over the world and connecting these ideas to available technical and financial resources.
- supporting best in class climate protection projects from all over the world.
- serving as a "matchmaker" - we connect players from business, finance, NGOs and local & national governments committed to collaborating on sustainable projects.
Here you can find more information and the highlights from last year´s AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT. We will be back in June 2022. More details coming soon.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger talks to real Climate Action Heros, who are role models and inspire more and more people to become enthusiastic about active climate protection.
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Showcasing successful best practice projects for climate protection and sustainable development from all around the globe
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Latest News
March 23, 2022
E-fuels: Do they keep what they promise?
The idea is simple: Synthetic fuels would be produced using electricity. These so called e-fuels could operate in existing combustion engines without major problems. They could be distributed via the existing gas station network. Clean fuel without climate-damaging emissions that all modern cars today can use - wouldn't that be an ideal solution?
Unfortunately not. First of all the efficiency of synthetic gasoline is shockingly low. In an electric car 73 percent of the energy provided is used to drive, the figure for e-fuels is only 13 percent. This means that e-fuels are by far the least efficient of the drive technologies currently available. It takes five times as much energy to cover the same distance with e-fuels as with an e-car. So for a car powered by E-fuels you need 115kwH for 100km and for an E-car only 18KWH.
Experts doubt that e-fuel generation can be scaled up to the levels needed to fuel the European or even the global vehicle fleet. They however do see a role for e-fuels in sectors where no alternatives exist, such as aviation or shipping.
Studies show that direct use of electricity through direct charging of electric vehicles is the most efficient way. Green energy to run those cars is naturally crucial. Of course, even electric cars are only one part of the solution: if possible, using cars less, car sharing or choosing public transport can be good alternatives to reduce emissions and advance our transport and mobility system towards a more sustainable or climate-friendly future.
January 12, 2022
Support for new climate project in India
The people of Tamil Nadu in the south of India are feeling the harsh effects of climate change. Increased droughts and floods and the rise in agricultural pests are having a serious impact on the food supply.
The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative will therefore support a new project with a very holistic and broad approach: This ‘Jugend eine Welt’ project contributes to sustainable climate and environmental protection in 17 districts of Tamil Nadu. By the end of 2023, 16,000 people - in 800 eco clubs in schools and villages - will implement environmental protection measures in their surroundings: Around 14,000 new trees will be planted, recycling campaigns for waste separation in the eco-clubs, waste collection campaigns and an awareness-raising campaign on solar energy with accompanying information events will be carried out. Model vegetable gardens will be planted in villages and the local population will be taught basic skills for growing their own vegetables for self-sufficiency in practical training sessions. In addition, 100 disadvantaged young people are trained in solar energy and thus have an additional source of income. In the course of the training, mini-solar systems are installed in 200 households. In the future, these households will be able to get their electricity from climate-friendly solar energy. Another 250 households will receive support in applying for government funding to expand renewable energy in rural areas. Initial activities for sustainable environmental and climate protection have already taken place in the course of a pilot project of local partners, the Salesians Don Boscos in Tamil Nadu, which has already been completed. Based on the results and experiences of this project, the activities are now being expanded.
December 1, 2021
Reducing food waste
A lot of us know this situation: You are walking through the grocery store, in the worst case you´re hungry, there are advertisements everywhere and special offers like large family packs or “3 for the price of 2”. When you leave the shop you ended up buying loads of food you didn´t really need and it will end up in the rubbish.
What a lot of us don´t know: This is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of all the energy and resources that went into producing, processing, packaging, and transporting this food. And therefore has a grave impact on our climate.
Approximately a third of the world’s food is never eaten. In total, 6 to 8 % of globally emitted greenhouse gases are coming from food waste – a disturbingly high number of unnecessary emissions. Something that can easily be changed with our everyday behaviour.
So we have collected some simple hacks for you to avoid food waste:
Make a shopping list for your grocery shopping. It reduces the tendency to buy things that you do not actually need and might end up in the waste bin. Generally, planning your meals ahead helps to avoid over-buying.
Trust and use your senses to check if food products are still edible. If stored accordingly, a lot of food is safe to consume longer than expected.
Fruit and veg might become “ugly” after some time in the basket – however these can easily still be used, e.g., for smoothies or baking.
Be creative or get inspired on the internet: There are plenty of recipes for leftovers that help to reduce not only household food waste but also save money.
Of course the whole food production system needs transitioning towards a more sustainable way of producing our veg, fruit and meat. We can also positively contribute personally to making a change by avoiding food waste in our own homes.