The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature in a controlled-climate chamber, wherein: an organism, such as a plant or an animal, is placed in the controlled-climate chamber; the temperature in the controlled-climate chamber is kept essentially constant at a specific value (T1); at least one growth characteristic (G) of the organism, such as, for example, the CO₂ production, is measured; the temperature in the controlled-climate chamber is raised or lowered by a specific value (T); the magnitude of the growth characteristic is measured again; the variation in the measured value of the growth characteristic is determined (G); and the temperature in the controlled-climate chamber is adjusted, depending on the variation in the measured value of the growth characteristic (G) that has been determined.