Tag Archives: environment

Building large solar parks in high-mountain regions is arguably an effective way to produce more power in winter and accelerate the energy transition. But it remains controversial in Switzerland, where environmental groups have contested planned installations. Born in London, Simon is a multimedia journalist who has worked for www.swissinfo.ch since 2006. He speaks French, German and Spanish and focuses on science, technology and innovation issues. More from...

An intrusive intervention into the crypto market similar to what the EU has recently provided is not a sure promise of a Pareto efficient result. The cryptocurrency market has evolved at a rapid pace over the course of its short lifespan. With its community and users growing steadily. They offer the potential for new choices to be made in a field long dominated by government monopolies. They are a real financial alternative and might provide intense competition...

Statistics published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), show that 70.1% of homes in Switzerland are heated by burning either mazout (heating oil), gas or wood. Photo by tony samia on Pexels.comAcross Switzerland 40.7% of homes are heated with mazout or heating oil. A further 17.6% are heated by burning gas and 11.8% by burning wood. These high greenhouse gas producing sources of heat account for 70.1% of the total. Add to this additional undisclosed emissions included in...

The energy crisis is causing electricity prices to soar across Europe, including in Switzerland. But the impact on the country is very unequal because of specific characteristics of its market. The sharp rise in electricity prices has delivered a heavy blow to the European market, which has been fully liberalised since 2007. States are being forced to delve deep into their coffers to support households and businesses. Voices questioning the wisdom of fully opening...

Voters in Switzerland’s biggest canton have overwhelmingly approved a new article to promote a cleaner and more efficient use of resources. Just under 90% of Zurich citizens on Sunday said yes to the idea, which the cantonal government proposed as an alternative to an initiative by the young Green Party. All political parties were in favour of the idea. The canton’s constitution will therefore be adapted to include an article calling on authorities to create...

The government plans to examine concrete and binding measures to save electricity in the coming weeks. © Keystone / Christian Beutler The Swiss government lacks up-to-date information on national electricity production and consumption, according to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. This is due to the lack of digitalisation of the electricity companies. The lack of information was a focal point of Sunday news report amid rising concerns over an energy crunch in...

On 31 August 2022, Switzerland’s federal government launched its campaign to cut energy consumption to reduce the risks of an energy shortfall over the coming winter. Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.comThe government stressed that there was currently no energy shortfall. However, Simonetta Sommaruga, the minister in charge of energy, said it was important to cut energy consumption to avoid the risk of forced cuts. An energy cut of a few weeks could cost the Swiss...

On 31 August 2022, Switzerland’s federal government launched its campaign to cut energy consumption to reduce the risks of an energy shortfall over the coming winter. Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.comThe government stressed that there was currently no energy shortfall. However, Simonetta Sommaruga, the minister in charge of energy, said it was important to cut energy consumption to avoid the risk of forced cuts. An energy cut of a few weeks could cost the Swiss economy CHF 100...

According to a recent survey, health costs, pensions and climate change and the three greatest concerns among Switzerland’s population. Photo by ILOVESwitzerland on Pexels.comThe online survey published by Tamedia on 26 August 2022 looks at support for the main political parties along with the main concerns of voters. Since the previous survey on 5 January 2022, support for the PLR/FDP (+1.4 percentage points) and Liberal Green Party (+1.3 percentage points) has risen. While the Green...

This week, the federal government fixed a voluntary objective for Switzerland to reduce gas consumption by 15% over the coming winter, according to RTS. Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.comThe Federal Council’s 15% gas saving objective, announced on 24 August 2021, covers the period between October 2022 and March 2023. The EU has set the same objective. Switzerland produces no natural gas and possesses no seasonal storage facilities. To build a reserve of natural gas Switzerland...