700+
Participants, Mentors and Volunteers have powered Climathon Zurich over the years
100+
Projects were developed in six years
>300’000
Total Funding Awarded to Participating Teams
Welcome to the the Climathon Zurich Archive
For six years, Climathon Zurich has brought together more than 700 participants, experts, coaches, and volunteers to imagine and prototype climate solutions. In the past, Climathon took place as a 32-hour ideation marathon, where citizens, innovators, and partners worked on multiple challenges to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy.
The purpose remains the same today — connecting and inspiring people to drive climate innovation — but the format has evolved.
This archive is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the six years of Climathon Zurich in the original format. It serves as an inspiration of what has been achieved and as a reminder that, even with
the new format, the spirit and impact of Climathon will continue.
Agenda 2024
> CHF 300’000 of funding for ideas
Impact Hub Zurich has organized Climathon Zurich as a yearly climate event for many years.
Since 2024, 29 winning teams have received a total funding of CHF 190’000 by the City of Zurich directly at our Climathon Closing Ceremony.
After Climathon, > 10 other teams have been funded by partners from the Impact Hub Zurich ecosystem
with a total of another
> CHF 110’000 and consecutive incubator programs.
Climate Challenges & Ideas
As an example of the topics participants worked on, we showcase the challenges from Climathon Zurich 2024.
The City of Zurich aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, which will require technological, political, and societal changes. Culture and art can make a significant impact in society. The challenge is to use creative expressions to raise awareness, promote sustainable behavioural change, and foster a collective commitment to climate action. The goal is to develop innovative and cultural initiatives and engage diverse communities.
Flying is the biggest source of travel-related greenhouse gas emissions of Zurich’s citizens. Situated in the centre of Western Europe, along the Alpine Rhine Corridor, which connects 770 million people, Zurich has great potential to lead the way in promoting land-based travel. How can we make land-based travel more attractive, sustainable, and practical for daily transportation, ultimately making flying less the new normal?
Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since the 1950s, posing significant challenges to cities and their inhabitants. This Climathon challenge invites participants to develop innovative, citizen-focused solutions that help Zurich’s residents respond and adapt to extreme heat. We seek practical, easy-to-implement ideas that empower individuals and communities to take action and build resilience.
Change makers within companies hold the potential to dramatically advance net zero targets. Employees, as central figures in organisations, can serve as catalysts for meaningful sustainability initiatives that align with both corporate and environmental objectives. Your mission is to generate ideas that inspire and empower employees to take the lead in driving sustainability efforts within their organisations.
The 32h Climate-Hackathon in Zurich has always been a unique experience. Watch the aftermovie from 2021 to get a sense of the atmosphere and see how participants came together to take climate action.
In Their Own Words
Participating at the Climathon was one of my highlights of the past year. So many inspirational conversations, so much passion and incredibly good food. What do you need more?»
Individual Participant
The Climathon Zurich was a place for us to validate our idea in front of a community of innovators and gain visibility which had a great impact for us.»
Startup Team
The climathon experience is highly dynamic. Motivated participants give their very best to generate climate solutions to the most pressing problems. As an expert, it’s inspiring to be part of their journey.«
Expert
Climathon perfectly encapsulates what we so desperately need: a feeling of agency and being part of the solution as literally everybody can contribute to solving the climate crisis and every action counts»
Team Coach
Join the new format
If you’re inspired by the creativity and energy in this archive, don’t miss the chance to be part of the new Climathon Zurich 2025. This year, we’re switching to German and introducing a refreshed three-day format focused on one impactful challenge.
Organiser
Main Partner
Past Event Partners
Past Sponsoring Partners
Past Network Partners
Climathon – a global movement
The Climathon was founded in 2015 in the run-up to the historic Paris climate agreement and has grown enormously since then.
It takes place every year in a growing number of cities around the world. In 2021 the Climathon was held in 145 cities around the globe.
The Climathon Zurich is taking place for the 7th time already and offers citizens the opportunity to become active for the climate and initiate systemic changes.
6500+ participants
145 cities
600+ ideas
6 continents
Terms and Conditions of participating at Climathon Zurich
All Climathon participants grant the Climathon Zurich Organiser, its subsidiaries, agents and partner companies, a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, adapt, modify, publish, distribute, publicly perform, create a derivative work from, and publicly display the submission. Of course, all participants maintain the ownership and property rights of the work that they created during Climathon (e.g. source code).