Income defines carbon footprint of Swiss households
The carbon footprint of Swiss households depends more on social and economic status than on whether consumers live in urban or rural areas, according to a new study.
A team of researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne found that income levels play an important role. “People consume without much thought because they can afford to and enjoy doing so,” says Melissa Pang, lead author of the study is quoted as saying in a press releaseExternal link.
The team examined data from Switzerland’s household budget survey for 2008, 2011 and 2014 and combined them with a so-called environmentally friendly input-output analysis.
The study found that households in the countryside have larger carbon footprints than those in cities mainly because they travel more and use more energy in their homes. But urban households are bigger polluters when it comes to food, clothing, cultural activities and air travel.
Overall, a two-person household has the largest per-capita footprint and that people in southern Switzerland are the worst offenders.
The authors of the study say there is no need for “extreme measures” to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, but they add that “every little bit helps”.
Scientists also call for more in-depth studies to confirm findings that the Swiss population’s overall carbon footprint has fallen between 208 and 2014.
More
More
Electricity consumption and CO2 emissions fall in Switzerland
This content was published on
The consumption of electricity and carbon dioxide emissions have fallen, however, extra measures will be needed to meet long-term objectives.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
This content was published on
In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
This content was published on
Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
This content was published on
Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
This content was published on
From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
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.
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
Converting an old home into an energy showcase
This content was published on
Two of the main pillars of Switzerland’s complex strategyExternal link aimed at transforming the country’s energy system by 2050 are lower electricity consumption and replacing nuclear power with renewable sources of energy. That, at least, is the theory. In practice, power and construction companies are set to struggle with the implementation of the government’s ambitious…
This content was published on
Food waste is responsible for one quarter of Switzerland’s food-related carbon footprint, and costs households over CHF5 billion, a study shows.
Fighting food waste with your eyes, nose and tongue
This content was published on
Two-thirds of the food thrown away in Switzerland could have been eaten. A new label on foodstuffs wants consumers to be much more discerning.
Electricity consumption and CO2 emissions fall in Switzerland
This content was published on
The consumption of electricity and carbon dioxide emissions have fallen, however, extra measures will be needed to meet long-term objectives.
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.