The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative

What The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative does

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative (SCI) is a Vienna-based non-profit association (Verein) founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director Monika Langthaler in 2017 to raise awareness of the climate crisis and connect climate solutions with financial and technical resources. The organization operates a portfolio of programs rather than a single technology product: its flagship is the annual AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT (AWS), held at Vienna's Hofburg Palace with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen as patron, attracting heads of state, UN officials, faith leaders, and activists (Kamala Harris, Pope Leo XIV, António Guterres, Ursula von der Leyen, Greta Thunberg have all participated). The 10th edition was held on June 16, 2026.

SCI's secondary assets include the AWS Solutions Hub — a physical estate venue in Asparn an der Zaya, Lower Austria, opened in May 2023 for seminars, workshops, and solution demonstrations (with Wild Solutions Park as its nature-conservation site); Climate Action Stories (an online showcase of 130+ climate projects globally); the Pump for the Planet exercise-and-environment campaign; and the Special Dinner for Climate Action annual charity gala held during the Hahnenkamm Race Weekend in Kitzbühel. Revenue is generated through charity auctions (raising €1.2M to €1.55M annually at the Hahnenkamm events), paid AWS Business Tickets, gala ticket revenue, donations/grants (including a €5,000 BAWAG Women's Prize in 2022), and AWS Solutions Hub venue rentals.

The organization disburses a portion of raised funds through co-funded projects with partners including Jane Goodall Institute Austria (Mutuba reforestation, Uganda, 2018–2021), HORIZONT3000 (Solar Pledge East Africa, clean cooking stoves), World Central Kitchen, Jugend Eine Welt, The Brooke, Instituto Juma, and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute. SCI operates with 1–10 employees and maintains active social channels across Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn, with Arnold Schwarzenegger's celebrity as the core distribution asset.

Name

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative

Legal name

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative

Website

https://schwarzeneggerclimateinitiative.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative is a Vienna-based non-profit founded in 2017 by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monika Langthaler that operates the annual AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT, the AWS Solutions Hub, Climate Action Stories, and Pump for the Planet to connect global climate solutions with funding, visibility, and political leadership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Advocacy Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environment, Climate & Sustainability Congresses (THAHAJAH), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Climate action advocacy
• Environmental nonprofit services
• Climate conference convening
• Sustainability fundraising events
• Climate solutions showcase

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charity Auctions: High-profile fundraising auctions, primarily hosted during the Hahnenkamm Race Weekend in Kitzbühel at the Stanglwirt. Auction items have included personal memorabilia from Arnold Schwarzenegger. Proceeds support the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative's activities and climate projects.
2. Donations and Grants: The initiative accepts donations and has received grants and prize money (e.g., BAWAG Women's Prize €5,000) to support specific climate projects worldwide.
3. Event Revenue: The Special Dinner for Climate Action is a ticketed charity gala. Business tickets for the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT generate revenue, while general participation in the summit is free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative is a Vienna-based nonprofit association that runs climate-awareness and convening programs. Its core activity is the annual AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT climate conference in Vienna, complemented by the AWS Solutions Hub demonstration venue in Asparn an der Zaya, the Climate Action Stories project showcase, the Pump for the Planet campaign, and the Special Dinner for Climate Action fundraising gala. Programs target climate advocates, policymakers, NGOs, and communities in developing regions, with funding sourced primarily from charity auctions, donations, grants, and ticketed events.

Product overview

The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative is a Vienna-based non-profit organization that operates a portfolio of climate action programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT (annual international climate conference), the AWS Solutions Hub (physical meeting and demonstration center), Climate Action Stories (project showcase database), Pump for the Planet (wellness-based environmental campaign), Special Dinner for Climate Action (annual fundraising gala), Wild Solutions Park (nature conservation site), and multiple newsletter offerings. These programs work together to unite people for climate action, showcase solutions, and support climate protection projects worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT: Annual climate conference organized by the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, bringing together climate solutions and climate action heroes from around the world. Held annually at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
• AWS Solutions Hub
• Climate Action Stories
• Pump for the Planet
• Wild Solutions Park

Products and services

• AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT (AWS) Annual international climate conference held at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, bringing together climate action heroes, world leaders, and innovators to discuss and promote climate-protection solutions. Free general admission; paid Business Tickets available.
• AWS Solutions Hub A renovated estate in Asparn an der Zaya, Lower Austria, functioning as a meeting place for networking, seminars, and workshops that demonstrates best-practice climate solutions on site; also available as an event venue for third parties.
• Climate Action Stories An online showcase featuring over 130 successful best-practice projects for climate protection and sustainable development from around the world, designed to encourage replication of proven solutions.
• Pump for the Planet A global campaign mobilizing individuals to take climate action through exercise and sustainable habits, promoted via Arnold Schwarzenegger's video messages and high-profile athletes.
• Special Dinner for Climate Action Annual charity gala and auction held during the Hahnenkamm Race weekend at the Stanglwirt in Kitzbühel, Austria, raising funds for environmental projects through ticket sales and high-profile auction items.
• Wild Solutions Park Nature and environmental protection project at the AWS Solutions Hub in Naturpark Leiserberge, Asparn an der Zaya, featuring wildlife conservation and educational experiences.
• AWS Solutions Expo Environmental expo held alongside the AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT at the Vienna Hofburg, showcasing innovative climate solutions; the 2024 edition attracted 3,500 visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over €7.4 million raised across charity auctions and donations to support climate projects worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jane Goodall Institute AustriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI co-funded the three-year Mutuba reforestation project in Uganda (2018–2021) with the Jane Goodall Institute Austria, supporting the reforestation of Mutuba fig trees benefiting local communities, wildlife, and ecosystems. A total of 5,000 Mutuba cuttings were distributed to 100 households.
• HORIZONT3000minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI partnered with HORIZONT3000 on the Solar Pledge East Africa programme, enabling dioceses in Uganda and Kenya to establish renewable energy systems. Also partnered on the 'Efficient and Healthy Cooking' project providing improved cooking stoves in Uganda, saving approximately 5t CO2 and 63% firewood per stove per year.
• Jugend Eine WeltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI supported Jugend Eine Welt's 'Bosco Children' center in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, creating a green oasis for street children integrating social, economic, and ecological principles. Also supported photovoltaic systems for schools and climate projects in Tamil Nadu, India.
• World Central KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI supported World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, to assist communities impacted by extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis. Funding was provided through the BAWAG Women's Prize awarded to Director Monika Langthaler.
• The BrookeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI supports The Brooke's work improving the welfare of working horses, donkeys, and mules that support 600 million people globally — particularly in climate-vulnerable regions where these animals are essential for livelihoods, water and food transportation, and disaster resilience.
• Instituto JumaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI supported the Instituto Juma in Brazil, which focuses on protection of the forest, heritage, intellectual property, and territories of indigenous peoples and traditional communities in the Brazilian Amazon, working against deforestation and empowering local populations through legal advice.
• USC Schwarzenegger InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe USC Schwarzenegger Institute at the University of Southern California, which Arnold Schwarzenegger established after leaving office in 2011 to promote state and local clean energy efforts, is closely connected to SCI. Conyers Davis, Global Director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, serves on SCI's Advisory Board.
• Ban Ki-moon FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonika Fröhler from the Ban Ki-moon Foundation serves on the SCI Advisory Board, representing the foundation within the initiative's strategic advisory structure.
• International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSCI partnered with FIS for the #KeepWinterAlive social media campaign during winter, leveraging FIS athletes on Instagram to promote climate awareness. This partnership taps into the sports audience to broaden SCI's reach.
• Felix Neureuther FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI supports the Felix Neureuther Foundation's activities including the 'Beweg dich schlau! mit Felix Neureuther' exercise program promoting healthy lifestyle and sustainability values among children and young people.
• Invisible Dust / Breathe ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI showcased the Breathe project at AWS 2025 — an art-science initiative by Invisible Dust addressing air pollution health emergencies, featuring campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 350.org: Global grassroots climate movement focused on ending fossil fuels, organizing mass campaigns and rallies. Comparable to SCI's Pump for the Planet and community-led climate-action model, though oriented more toward activism than convening leaders.
• Earthday.org: Organization coordinating the annual Earth Day campaign and mobilizing millions of people around climate and environmental education. Comparable to SCI as an event-driven, awareness-and-engagement nonprofit.
• Climate Group: International nonprofit that convenes governments and businesses on climate action through high-profile campaigns (e.g. RE100, Under2 Coalition). Closely comparable to SCI as a convening-and-advocacy organization focused on climate solutions and elite stakeholder engagement.

Regional players

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest nature and environmental association, combining grassroots membership, projects, and policy advocacy. Comparable to SCI's community-and-project model, but primarily focused on Germany rather than Austria/global.

Broad incumbents

• Greenpeace International: Large global environmental NGO combining advocacy, campaigns, and on-the-ground climate projects. Comparable mission and donor base to SCI, but with vastly larger budgets and staff.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization producing data-driven analysis on climate, forests, energy, and sustainable development. Comparable to SCI's Climate Action Stories and policy-convening role, but at a much larger institutional scale.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): One of the world's largest conservation organizations running climate, forests, oceans, and wildlife programs globally. Comparable field-deployment model (e.g. SCI's reforestation work) and donor base, though at massive institutional scale.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Global nonprofit running the leading environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, and investors. Overlaps with SCI's mission of climate transparency and solution visibility, but operates a data-platform model at much greater scale.
• Rocky Mountain Institute: Independent climate-and-energy think tank working on clean energy transformation, industrial decarbonization, and policy. Comparable to SCI's renewable-energy messaging and "Terminate Pollution" framing.

Emerging players

• Project Drawdown: Nonprofit that catalogs, ranks, and communicates climate solutions — the most direct analogue to SCI's Climate Action Stories platform showcasing 130+ solutions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArnoldSCI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@schwarzeneggerclimate
• Facebookfacebook.com/SchwarzeneggerClimate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schwarzenegger-climate-initiative
• Instagraminstagram.com/schwarzeneggerclimate
• TikToktiktok.com/@schwarzeneggerclimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative