In this section, you will find NGO reports and comparative studies about flying and the environment.

Summary of the studies

Studies with overall rankings and individual evaluations

atmosfair regularly achieves first place in the rankings of offsetting providers. All studies in which offsetting providers were evaluated according to different criteria are presented here.

Test winner brochure 2018

All comparative studies and tests since the founding of atmosfair
Finanztest

2022: Stiftung Warentest

Berlin, 11.10.2022: atmosfair has once again emerged as the test winner for CO₂ compensation by Stiftung Warentest in 2022. Following the last test by the foundation in 2018, atmosfair is again the winner, with the quality gap in compensation reportedly widening even further compared to other providers, according to DPA. atmosfair received the only "very good" overall rating (0.5) and the best rating in compensation quality (also 0.5). Stiftung Warentest examined the quality of compensation (50% weighting), transparency (15%), management and control (15%), and adherence to the principle of "Avoid before Reduce before Compensate" (20%). The paid article can be accessed here (1 EUR).
Finanztest

2018: Stiftung Warentest

Berlin, 13.02.2018: The magazine "Finanztest" reports in its current issue on the test of organizations offering CO₂ compensation. atmosfair was the winner of the test and received the rating "very good". According to the agency afp, the six tested providers compensated approximately 170,000 tons of CO₂ for private customers in 2016, with atmosfair alone compensating 130,000 tons. The quality of the compensation was mainly tested, taking into account whether the provider develops and operates the projects themselves, as well as transparency, low administrative costs, and management. The paid article can be accessed here (1 EUR).
Stiftung Warentest, 12/2013

Stiftung Warentest – Test winners for the holidays (de)

In the test magazine "Test winners for the holidays" from December 2013, Stiftung Warentest examined 46 German charitable organisations in the areas of animal and environmental protection. In the results, atmosfair placed at the very top and together with two other organisations achieved the best marks; no organisation was evaluated higher.
fvw, the travel industry business magazine, 04/2012

Websites of carbon offset providers (de)

fvw, the travel sector business magazine tested websites of several carbon offset providers. atmosfair ranks first, leading the ranking by far. In particular, the testers praised the comprehensive information and usability of the atmosfair website.
University of Applied Sciences, Eberswalde, 9/2010

Offset Providers in Germany (de)

This study, published by the University of Applied Sciences in Eberswalde, analyses offset providers in Germany. atmosfair is the only carbon offset provider to be rated "very good".
University of Graz, 02/2010

A Benchmarking of European CO2-Offsetter (de)

Once again, atmosfair ranked highest in a comparative study. atmosfair is the only service provider in this study to be "very recommended".
Université Libre de Bruxelles, 03/2008

Etude comparative des programmes de compensation volontaire de CO2 (fr)

The diploma thesis of André Heughebaert of the University of Brussels compares CO2offsetters and rates atmosfair the most recommendable.
Tufts University, 04/2007

Voluntary Offsets For Air-Travel Carbon Emissions (en)

Tufts University in Boston rates thirteen CO2 offsetters on quality of projects and calculation of emissions.
Aftonbladet, 02/2007

Test Offsetter (en)

A rating of CO2 offsetters in which atmosfair was the most highly rated.
BBC Wildlife Magazin, 01/2007

Offsetting carbon emissions (en)

atmosfair is the most highly rated offsetter in a BBC Wildlife ranking, achieving 8 out of 10 points.

Further studies

Also in other studies on the subject of flying and CO₂ offset atmosfair is always mentioned as a positive example.

Ökotest, 02/2011

Striking a balance (de)

In its February 2011 issue, Ökotest wrote: "The German non-profit provider atmosfair is to be recommended without exception. The quality of its emissions calculator is exemplary… atmosfair works transparently, the projects are CDM-certified…".
Environmental Data Services, 2008

The ENDS guide to Carbon Offsets (en)

A comprehensive summary of CO2offsetters. Regarding offset quality, this paper reports: "atmosfair has one of the best offset portfolios in the entire industry."
BUND, 2007

For a fair taxing over the clouds (de)

The German environmental group BUND presents a study on the introduction of a kerosene tax and the environmental impact of travelling by plane.