Defenders of the environment call for action
Environmental organisations are demanding that Switzerland reduce its energy consumption by two thirds by the year 2050.
A study published on Thursday shows how the goal can be achieved using the consistent application of energy-saving technologies and with less traffic on the roads.
Greenpeace, WWF and the Swiss Transport and Environment Association (VCS) wrote in their study "Energy Perspective 2050" that an unbelievably large amount of energy was being wasted.
Despite a looming shortage, the consumption of oil, gas and coal was increasing.
The organisations said this was fatal, producing global warming, floods, storms and melting glaciers.
As a result, energy efficiency had to be clearly improved and renewable energies used more often.
A first part of the study examines the question how much energy could be saved with the existing energy-saving technologies and the change from electricity supply to renewable sources.
Energy tax
The authors assume that by 2012 there will be a tax on all energy, similar to that on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, strict technical norms on electric appliances as well as minimum energy standards for new and renovated buildings.
The result would be that by 2050 energy consumption would be reduced from the current 6,000 Watts per person to 3,500 Watts.
According to the study, that would mean electricity supply would be possible without building new gas or nuclear power plants.
In addition, energy costs of SFr10 billion ($8.1 billion) could be saved.
The environment organisations go even further, saying their aim was the so-called "2,000 Watt Society" – 1,500 from renewable energy sources, with the remainder from fossil fuels.
Additional steps
The study argues another 1,000 Watts could be saved with additional steps, including the use of improved technology in motorised vehicles and better building insulation.
Further savings would need a reduction of traffic on roads. This could be achieved with increased occupation of cars and the reduction of cars in residential areas.
The environment organisations have no illusions that the way to the "2,000 Watt Society" will be easy, the study says.
The authorities must begin to act decisively now to achieve the aims, it added.
swissinfo with agencies
In brief
The aim of the project is to move Switzerland back to 2,000 Watts, not by cutting back on the Swiss standard of living, but by dramatically improving the energy efficiency of all aspects of life.
The "2,000 Watt Society" has been described by its supporters as a "radical model of efficient, high-quality living" and is being encouraged by the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
At present, Switzerland - efficient for Europe - uses about 5,000 Watts per capita, Europe as a whole about 6,000 Watts per capita.
The United States runs at about 12,000 Watts per person.
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