Tag Archive: Environment

Young Socialists demand inheritance tax on ‘super rich’

2024-02-08

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2024-02-08

The wealthiest in society “must pay for the fight against the climate crisis”, said the group on Thursday as they handed in over 140,000 signatures for a people’s initiative.

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Will a project to reintroduce European bison into Swiss forests work?

2023-11-04

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2023-11-04

The European bison, a species that differs slightly from its north American cousin, died out in Europe. Now it is to be reintroduced in Switzerland. Can a densely populated country tolerate such a large wild animal?

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Switzerland needs to be able to recharge 2.8 million vehicles

2023-05-12

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2023-05-12

This week, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) published its predictions and ambitions for electric transport infrastructure.

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Data centres account for 4 percent of Swiss electricity usage

2023-01-09

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2023-01-09

Data centres are expanding rapidly in Switzerland, with such facilities already accounting for 4% of national energy – more than the farming sector.

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No price rises for Swiss public transport in 2023

2022-11-01

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2022-11-01

For the seventh consecutive year, the price of tickets on Swiss public transport will remain unchanged. It will also become easier to buy tickets for bicycles and canine companions, reported RTS.

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Swiss federal buildings to get solar panel makeover

2022-10-28

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2022-10-28

The Swiss government has pledged to install solar panels on as many federal buildings as possible to help boost the production of energy from renewable sources.

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Mountaintop solar farms spark tensions in Switzerland

2022-10-22

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2022-10-22

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.

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Crypto and the Environment

2022-10-11

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2022-10-11

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.

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Explainer: how the Swiss electricity market works

2022-10-05

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2022-10-05

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.  

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Zurich to enshrine the circular economy in constitution

2022-09-27

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2022-09-27

Voters in Switzerland’s biggest canton have overwhelmingly approved a new article to promote a cleaner and more efficient use of resources.

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Swiss electricity data reaches government with major delays

2022-09-19

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2022-09-19

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 Europe as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on.

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Swiss government launches energy saving campaign

2022-09-05

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2022-09-05

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.

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Switzerland banks on hydropower reserve to combat energy crunch

2022-08-25

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2022-08-25

The Swiss Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) has laid out plans to hold back hydropower reserves to help compensate for anticipated energy shortages this winter.

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Winter electricity cuts feared, says head of Swiss commission

2022-08-18

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2022-08-18

Electricity cuts lasting several hours are predicted this winter in Switzerland, according to Laurianne Altwegg, vice president of the Federal Electricity Commission. This winter we should ensure we have enough candles and wood for a wood stove for those who have one, advised Altwegg in an interview with RTS.

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Europe energy woes raise concerns in Switzerland

2022-08-03

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2022-08-03

The energy crisis in Europe continues to make headlines in Switzerland. This was reflected in the Sunday press which focused on German pressure on Switzerland to implement a gas saving plan, a petition to speed up hydroelectric projects and a spike in Swiss demand for electric heaters in anticipation of a difficult winter.

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Energy experts warn of possible power shortages

2022-07-23

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2022-07-23

Switzerland could face electricity and gas shortages in winter despite sufficient supplies at the moment and considerable reserves, experts say.

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Gas industry head warns winter supplies could be tight

2022-07-08

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2022-07-08

The president of the Swissgas industry platform says Switzerland is not aware of how fragile the situation is and that “it would not take much” to lead to a winter shortage. André Dosé told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) newspaper on Thursday that looming gas shortages elsewhere in Europe and exploding prices amounted to a “huge problem” for Swiss supplies.

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Switzerland wants to play key role in rebuilding Ukraine

2022-06-10

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2022-06-10

The Swiss are hosting a major international conference on reconstruction in Ukraine at the beginning of July. The agenda and a participants’ list are currently taking shape.  However, it’s unclear how much international enthusiasm this event – and its aims – will garner in the end.

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Swiss government changes solar electricity rules

2022-06-07

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2022-06-07

On 2 June 2022, Switzerland’s parliament adopted two motions to accelerate the adoption of solar panels.

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Tips for cutting energy bills

2022-05-01

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2022-05-01

As the prices of fossil fuels skyrocket and further supply and price uncertainty looms, many are seeking ways to cut the amount they spend on home energy. A publication by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) shows where savings can be made.

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