6 Ways Switzerland Is Helping To Fight Climate Change

Most of the energy that powers Switzerland is imported (and dirty) and comes from either nuclear power plants or fossil fuels. The country recently pledged to cut its emissions by 50% by 2030 in line with the Paris climate agreement, a pledge that was considered insufficient and ‘disappointing’ by some. But with the intention of keeping positive, here are some of the ways the country, and its citizens, are helping to tackle climate change at home and on the global stage.

It’s voted in more renewable energy

In May of this year, Switzerland voted in a new energy policy that hopes to revolutionise the country’s energy network. 58.2% of Swiss people supported a new law to ban the construction of new nuclear plants and plough more money into renewable energy. Accepted, the country’s nuclear plants will now be gradually phased out, the first slated to be shut down in 2018. The new law will also raise 480 million francs to be invested in renewable energies which currently accounts for only around 15% of total production, the vast majority of this is produced by hydro power.

A new law promises to expand Switzerland’s renewable energy sector

Recycling is a national sport

Swiss grannies are climate activists

An organisation of Swiss grannies has been hounding the government on its climate policies for some time. KlimaSeniorinnen (‘climate seniors’) have taken legal action against the Swiss government to enact stronger climate policies, arguing that by not doing so, their constitutional rights are being violated. The organisation, whose members number around 700 or so, also picketed the annual World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos, to make their voice heard (and to share their home-made biscuits).

It’s pledged to help climate refugees

Switzerland has long been a place of refuge for those fleeing persecution, whether political or tax-related. With climate change threatening to displace millions of people over the coming years, climate change refugees will need somewhere safe and secure to reside. Switzerland, along with Norway, have been key players in driving this forward in the international agenda through the Nansen Initiative, which is looking at ways to protect the most vulnerable populations.

Climeworks AG

In June, 2017, Climeworks AG opened the world’s first industrial scale carbon-capture plant outside of Zurich. The plant sucks in the same amount of CO2 that 200 cars would emit in a year, about 900 tons. It works by pushing air through a filter which binds the CO2 in place and then heated to release it as a gas. The captured CO2 is then delivered to those who need it – in this plant’s case, a greenhouse. With 250,000 similar sized plants, the founders believe they could trim 1% of the world’s CO2 emissions.

Mootral

Cow farts are destroying the climate and Swiss-based company Mootral is helping to solve that problem. Livestock are responsible for climate change, or at least we are responsible for rearing them. They emit large quantities of methane and nitrous oxide. By 2030, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that livestock will account for 21% of non-CO2 emissions. Mootral, a natural feed supplement, is basically an easy way to cut those harmful emissions by at least 30%.

Cow farts are deadly for the climate, reducing them could help stay below the 2° C limit

Save

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.