The score is determined very easily. There is a catalog with possible small steps (from plastic avoidance to public transport use to volunteering or donation). You then only have to select the relevant / feasible steps for you (for example, if you do not have your own roof, you cannot green it either) and roughly describe the degree of implementation (0 = not yet, 1 = partial, 2 = largely and 3 = complete). You will then receive your score between 0 and 100 (e.g. 45), with which you can compare yourself. In addition, you will be shown how much you have already improved compared to the previous year (e.g. +10). In this way, even those who only start will be encouraged to the maximum in their actions.

Yes, but in the end it is important that we eat fruit. Of course, waste separation is easier to realize than the PV system on the roof. And the effect of a PV system is also greater. We also want to reward the small steps with the 'For a Better World Score' and have therefore basically balanced all steps. Small steps provide so-called spillover effects when they motivate us or others to take further steps.

In fact, we have also calculated a weighting of the individual steps - only we do not use them for the score. At the end of the descriptions of the steps you will find their very rough weight. Later we will also publish its derivation, how we came up with their weight.

Of course, everyone can cheat and give themselves a lot of points. For example, in many places, such as refraining from air travel or using organic food, we can simply indicate that these are out of the question for you and quickly only the steps left that someone is actually taking. However, companies, organizations and administrations, if they want to use the logo, are obliged to publish the link to their steps list. In this way, others can then look and ultimately understand whether the information is correct. Portals, such as booking.com, have been using this procedure for a long time.

The fact that even small steps get a lot of points makes it easy for everyone to participate and proudly show their points. But that's exactly what is wanted.

The non-commercial calculation and use of the score is free of charge. This includes, among other, individuals, schools, kindergartens and sports clubs. In order to cover costs, on the other hand, a small protection fee is provided for the commercial use of the score and label. Commercial use includes all those who use the score and/or the label for marketing purposes. These include, among other things companies, organizations, administrations and regions.

The steps themselves are a collection of common options. For each step, there is further information and a link to an external information page, usually from consumer protection, the consumer portal Utopia, the Federal Environment Agency and others. The catalog with steps is constantly being expanded if there are further information.

Paying attention to the steps we take is the so-called ecological handprint, as a counterpart to the ecological footprint. The ecological footprint calculates how much we consume in total in our everyday life. This value is usually demotivating, because the things on which we can change little also have a negative effect. The ecological handprint, on the other hand, rewards the small steps and relativizes the steps that we cannot take, for example because we have to fly professionally or there is no health food store in the area.

Under "Don't apples and pears be compared?" We have already mentioned that the individual steps can also be weighted with regard to their effect. We did not use this for the score, but listed as information in the description texts. The weighting is then on the one hand the proportional influence on greenhouse gas emissions or land use, and then again the indirect influence on other aspects of sustainability, such as biodiversity, international fairness or the strengthening of the local community.

The fact that we also want to reward small steps is related to the spillover effects. In a project for the Federal Environment Agency, we researched the mechanisms of a transformation in an Integrated Assessment Model a few years ago. It is about the fact that alternative behavior must create the same good feelings as the non-sustainable behavior, i.e. the enjoyment of meat, the horsepower car, the large apartment or the long air travel, which are good for us and of which we are proud, for which we are ultimately admired by our environment. For such emotional effectiveness, these alternatives must be somehow measurable, e.g. through our 'For a Better World Score'. When the small steps feel good, we also develop the desire to take further steps. And if we tell others about it, they may also take their next steps. These are then the spillover effects.

Scientists from the fields of climate and transformation research (incl. neuroscience) have recently demanded: Climate protection must be fun! Our brain is not prepared for renunciation. Rather, we need a concrete benefit or Advantage. That's why we rely on recognition!

However, potential rebound effects must also be mentioned at this point for completeness. It may be that we justify some not so sustainable behavior by the fact that we are sustainable elsewhere. This is then a psychological rebound. It is a material rebound when we save money, for example through fewer cars, and when we then spend the money saved on something else, non-sustainable, such as increased long-distance flights.

Since approx. 15 years, we have been involved in sustainability research together with renowned partners (adelphi, Ecologic Institute, FEST, Fraunhofer, ifeu, IÖR, IZT, Leuphana, sociodimensions, systemic futures, UFZ, Z-Punkt, etc.) - including contract research for the Federal Environment Agency. Here you will find more information about our publications and projects (https://www.consideo.com/papers-33.html). We use the findings from the research projects to bring about change processes in practice. For example, we support project weeks at over 300 schools that aim at the sustainable (re)design of schools and regions - through social innovations. The latter also plays a central role in the 'For a Better World Score'. Rewarding themselves for sustainable everyday behavior, inciting each other and going together into a better world, this is the mission of the initiative. In addition to the above-mentioned Consideo also supports activities corresponding projects of companies, organizations, administrations and local authorities, e.g. via workshop formats.

We have provided information and further links to the individual steps. The topics can also be easily found via the search engines.

For companies, organizations and administrations (cities, municipalities, counties) we offer further support as needed. From workshops on the participation of stakeholders to content consulting (what can be realized and how) to the development and calculation of key figures in order to also serve existing sustainability certificates.