Swiss Stories

Swiss environment

Swiss environmental protection

Environment
Lakes, mountains and clean air are inextricably associated with Switzerland's quality of life. Beyond its picture-postcard image, Switzerland's natural environment is an integral part of the country's character and identity. To safeguard this natural heritage the Federal Council and the people of Switzerland have adopted a series of concrete measures in recent years. Key aspects of Switzerland's environmental policy:
Lake Rotsee © Eawag

The bacteria that could beat climate change

Environment
Lakes emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, in particular methane, a greenhouse gas more that twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). One square kilometre of lake can emit 800 times more methane than the same area of ocean.
Teaser

The national gene bank

Environment
Humanity's future depends on the diversity of the species living on our planet, as they provide present and future generations with a food source and a healthy environment. In Switzerland, many varieties of plants are stored in the national gene bank maintained by Agroscope, the Swiss centre of excellence for agricultural research.
In September 2018, GreenGT unveiled its fourth sports car, H2 Speed, developed in collaboration with Pininfarina. This makes it a racing car, but one that will complete the circuit with a hydrogen-powered engine instead © GreenGT

The future of Swiss transport is hydrogen-powered

Environment
Imagine a vehicle that emits only water vapour. Such technology has now become possible thanks to hydrogen. For over ten years, Switzerland has been an open-air laboratory for this promising renewable energy source. Several major projects led by ETH Zurich and EPFL, distribution companies and start-ups are now reaching maturity and are placing the country at the forefront of a green revolution.
Panneaux solaires

Swiss technology tackles the climate crisis

Environment
Swiss start-ups and Swiss-based multinational companies are developing promising and often little-known solutions to address global warming. We visited several Swiss companies that are working to tackle the climate crisis.
monte rosa

Amazing Swiss buildings

Environment
Switzerland reflects its architecture: it is a diverse and bold mixture of tradition and high-tech innovation that is constantly striving to adapt to the landscape and to environmental constraints.
Matterhorn © Ivo Scholz/ Switzerland Tourism

Symbol of solidarity

Environment
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, images of the Matterhorn have been broadcast around the world. The legendary Swiss mountain has been beaming messages of solidarity and hope for the pandemic.