Choosing the western city from among six others in Switzerland, the WWF cited Lausanne’s “remarkable” tree-planting initiatives and a zero CO2 emission target for mobility by 2030.
Lausanne came ahead of six other Swiss cities in the WWF climate competition: Basel, Zurich, Delémont, St. Gallen, Thun and Bern. The top three will go on to an international final in May.
The WWF also singled out Basel, which it said is leading the way in cutting CO2 emissions; and Zurich, which is investing more than CHF1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in development of climate-friendly urban heating networks.
A total of 280 cities participated in the competition worldwide, according to the WWF statement.
The city of Lausanne aims to have 30% of the city covered by a canopy of trees by 2040, compared with 20% now, according to a recent reportExternal link by Swiss national broadcaster RTS. It planted 1,454 new trees in 2021. For 2022, there are 750 more currently being planted, and hundreds more to go in the ground this autumn.
Lausanne, whose governance is dominated by left-wing and Green parties, was also the first Swiss city to introduce a night-time speed limit of 30km throughout most of the city.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
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Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
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2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
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The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
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More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
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Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
Swiss people crave more naturally wild areas, survey finds
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The Swiss population as well as environmental and biodiversity experts would like to see more natural and wild areas in the country.
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