Tag Archives: environment

Electricity prices in Switzerland are set for a shake up. Prices paid for electricity put into the grid are falling fast in some parts of the country, reported RTS. From 2026, these prices will be adjusted every quarter, rather than once a year. This will add further uncertainty to prices and the investment case for solar panels. Photo by William Mead on Pexels.comThe changes flow from a new set of laws accepted in a referendum in June 2024. The new law will in many cases usher in lower...

In 2023, Swiss voters accepted a plan to provide subsidies to replace oil and basic electric heating with cleaner more efficient heating, such as electric heat pumps. The plan involved spending CHF 200 million a year on such incentives over a 10-year period starting on 1 January 2025. However, Switzerland’s federal parliament decided in December 2024 to cut the quantum of the subsidies in 2025 by one quarter, reported RTS. Photo by alpha innotec on Pexels.comThis belt tightening by...

New data show that tourism accounts for 25% of the total traffic on Swiss roads, reported SRF. The Federal Council report shows that leisure and tourism account for 53% of passenger road traffic, with the other 47% made up of commuting to and from work. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.comRegular leisure traffic by residents of Switzerland accounted for 27% of road traffic, 12% was locals engaging in tourism, 13% foreigners travelling for tourism and 47% commuting. The remaining 1% is...

Electric heat pumps have a lower carbon footprint than gas and oil heating systems. They are more energy efficient, and, when gas, coal and oil electricity generation are eventually phased out of the grid, they will be close to emission free. However, the number of heat pumps being installed in Switzerland is falling, and the number of new gas and oil heating systems is on the rise, according to a report by RTS. Photo by Heiko Ruth on Pexels.comSo far in 2024, Swiss homeowners have...

On 24 November 2024, the Swiss will vote on four questions. The first is a federal government plan to invest in expanding Switzerland’s motorway network. © Thomas Stoiber | Dreamstime.comThe government’s plan aims to alleviate six motorway bottlenecks. The Federal Council points out that traffic on the nation’s highways has more than doubled since 1990 and the estimated CHF 4.9 billion investment is needed to keep the country moving efficiently. In addition, it says more motorway capacity...

A survey report published this week shows that the population of Switzerland increasingly sees immigration as a challenge and desires political action. © Alexander Sorokopud | Dreamstime.comOverall, while the economic and cultural effects of immigration are viewed positively, the strains on infrastructure, housing and the environment are viewed negatively. In addition, negativity towards immigration is showing among groups that were once friendly to immigration, said the authors....

This week, Swiss Rail published its half-year results. During the first six months of 2024, the company made a profit of CHF 50.8 million, a level far below what is required for it to operate comfortably and service its debt. Swiss Rail © Sergiomonti | Dreamstime.comAs a rule of thumb, to remain in good financial shape the company needs to make a profit CHF 500 million annually, which would mean CHF 250 million over six months, roughly five times the recent six month result. The main...

Since 1990, the cost of travel by car has risen 24%, while travel by public transport has leapt by more than 100%, reported SRF. © Hai Huy Ton That | Dreamstime.comSince 1990, fuel prices and car prices have fallen, while the cost of tickets to ride public transport have consistently risen. According to Stefan Meierhans, Switzerland’s chief price watchdog, the rising cost gap is creating the wrong incentives. Why take a train when a car is cheaper? Another challenge is the way the...

This week, Switzerland’s Green Party started collecting signatures to launch a referendum. The vote would ask voters whether to accept a plan to force those renovating or constructing a new building to install solar panels, reported RTS. Photo by MARIANNE RIXHON on Pexels.comThe Green Party says there are enough roofs in Switzerland to ween the country off imported fossil fuel and to avoid resorting to nuclear power. Currently, only 10% of roofs are being used for solar power production....

The recent winter season was positive for Switzerland’s mountain resort lift operators. However, the picture was mixed with low altitude resorts missing out on much of the joy, reported Switzerland’s mountain lift association this week. By the end of April 2024, the number of first-time visitors to Swiss ski areas overall was up 3% compared to the previous year, and up by 5% compared to the 5-year average. Early snow in November and December combined with late snow in April extended...