ClearKarma

ClearKarma e.V. operates as a non-profit organization based in Vienna, Austria, focused on establishing next-generation standards for a sustainable and equitable food system. The organization was founded by President Sylvie Chin to address the significant environmental damage caused by food production and the inaccessibility of sustainability certifications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ClearKarma is developing a framework to help organizations, particularly SMEs, track, certify, and reduce their carbon footprint and broader environmental impact. This is accomplished by providing methodologies and fostering a community around sustainable food practices.

The business model centers on creating and promoting rigorous guidelines for ethical and sustainable food supply chains. It serves businesses by connecting them with resources to improve their practices and empowers consumers by providing transparent information to make informed choices. The organization advocates for policy changes that support regenerative agriculture and solutions to reduce food waste and combat climate change. ClearKarma's services include educational programs, workshops, and partnerships designed to build a food-aware public and support businesses in their sustainability journey. For businesses, the benefits of adopting ClearKarma's standards range from potential funding through carbon credits to tax incentives, ultimately enabling them to invest in more sustainable process management and sourcing.

The organization is set to launch the formal ClearKarma Standard in 2024 and has plans to onboard food banks worldwide as part of its educational and impact initiatives. An early seed funding round in August 2012, involving investors like Wayra Deutschland and Startup Live, provided $62.6K to the for-profit entity that preceded the non-profit association, helping to lay the groundwork for its current mission. Keywords: food system sustainability, carbon footprint tracking, environmental impact standards, SME certification, regenerative agriculture, sustainable supply chains, food waste reduction, carbon credits, climate action, Sylvie Chin, Vienna non-profit, ethical food, impact measurement, cleantech, greentech, food policy advocacy, corporate social responsibility, sustainable sourcing, environmental data management, community empowerment