Meet Lune, a new firm that hopes to make online shoppers more aware of CO2 emissions. Companies that use Lune’s API can charge customers to fund carbon neutralization projects.
Erik Stadigh formerly worked for VC fund Crane, which led Lune’s $4 million seed round. 15 business angels also attended, including N26 co-founder Maximilian Tayenthal, Voi co-founder Fredrik Hjelm, and OysterHR and Nexmo co-founder Tony Jamous.
According to co-founder Stadigh, corporations create a sustainability report that is stashed somewhere on their website and rarely seen. The startup first aids in carbon measurement. Those are always estimates. “We offer automatic carbon emission calculations,” Stadigh stated.
Once the API is integrated into your product, customers can opt to contribute to compensating initiatives. Globally, we work with carbon offset developers, says Stadigh. Lune also works with payment processors like TrueLayer. A “green payment method” that contributes to carbon offset projects is available at checkout.
Merchants can opt to charge extra fees for Lune initiatives or let customers pay for them. Lune is already in talks with other payment partners.
A tiny share of carbon offset transactions is taken by Lune. Lune’s API aims to make any firm climate-friendly. Many would argue that not buying a thing reduces the carbon impact of that purchase. When you can’t avoid a purchase, it may help customers choose between companies.
