The Swiss university of Geneva has put online a platform that allows consumers to track the variations in the composition of the electricity mix used and to calculate the carbon footprint.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RTS/SWI-del
The university said the tool, called horocarbon, can measure electricity consumption for every hour of the day which is crucial to quantify the environmental impact and thereby create greater transparency.
The virtual meter, which is fed by Swiss and foreign production data, is aimed at citizens as well as scientists and politicians, the university said in a statement on Monday.
It also serves as an interactive tool to assess the environmental impact of personal consumption and that of certain electrical appliances (fridge, computer, dishwasher).
Nuclear and hydro
In Europe, the electricity sector is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. In Switzerland, where electricity is mainly produced by nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, it accounts for less than 2% of these emissions.
However, a large part of this electricity is exported to neighbouring countries, especially in summer when there is a surplus of electricity.
To meet its needs, Switzerland relies on a mix of domestic and imported energy. The latter accounts for around 11% of annual consumption, and can be much higher in winter.
“The measurement of CO2 emissions from the electricity sector is generally based on the principle of production accounting: these emissions are attributed to the geographical area where they were generated. This approach does not reflect the real carbon impact of a country’s consumption, since it does not take into account emissions linked to imports, which are very carbon-intensive in the case of Switzerland,” Geneva University’s Elliot Romano is quoted in the press release.
More
More
Climate-smart buildings slowly conquer the Alps
This content was published on
Construction is booming in the Swiss Alps, but not all of it is sustainable. Architecture critic Köbi Gantenbein wants to change this.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
This content was published on
A prisoner who escaped on Thursday in Baden, canton Aargau, is still on the run. The 23-year-old Albanian, who was in custody for burglary, was wearing handcuffs when he escaped.
Swiss city places information boards next to Nazi memorial
This content was published on
The city of Chur in eastern Switzerland has erected four information boards next to the Nazi memorial in the Daleu cemetery.
Swiss heat: parallels drawn with 2003 ‘summer of century’
This content was published on
Looking at the current weather situation in Switzerland, the private weather service MeteoNews has drawn parallels with the hot summer of 2003.
Syria: Switzerland calls for ceasefire to be respected in Suweida
This content was published on
Switzerland has condemned the attacks on civilians in the southern Syrian town of Suweida and has called on all parties to respect the ceasefire in the Druze stronghold.
Swiss reinforce ground-air defence with German systems
This content was published on
Switzerland has purchased five IRIS-T SLM systems for ground-based air defence from Germany, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) said on Monday.
This content was published on
Individual deer are continuing to return to the Rosenberg cemetery in Winterthur, northeastern Switzerland, even after an eviction campaign last winter.
Hardly any interest earned on savings accounts in Switzerland
This content was published on
Interest rates on savings accounts in Switzerland have fallen significantly. The brief high in savings interest rates is over, according to a study by online comparison service Moneyland.
This content was published on
A group of around 25 men in uniforms of the Wehrmacht – the army of Nazi Germany – crossed the Wildhorn massif on Saturday and were questioned by Bern cantonal police.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
New Swiss platform offers incomplete data on energy supplies
This content was published on
The government has launched a new portal for consumers to check Switzerland's energy supplies and to help prevent power shortages.
Winter energy woes cast shadow over Swiss ski season
This content was published on
Swiss resorts are gearing up for a bumper season. But soaring power prices have resort managers scrambling for ways to save energy.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.