Science

In our science coverage, we look at where Swiss innovation touches the world. We focus especially on solutions to climate change and other areas where Swiss research contributes to global understanding and solutions.

Swiss NGO uses woollen blankets to reduce glacier melt

NGO plans to protect glaciers with woollen blankets

This content was published on Sep 2, 2026 Swiss NGO tests sheep’s wool blankets to curb glacier melt, showing promise as a biodegradable alternative.

Climate solutions

People walk between the trees on the Platzspitz, photographed with a thermal imaging camera during the heatwave and extreme temperatures at around 5 pm on Thursday, 30 July 2026, in Zurich. This thermal imaging camera (thermography camera) does not capture visible light or colours, but rather infrared radiation (heat radiation) emitted by surfaces: blue represents cold, red represents hot, and white marks the highest temperatures. (KEYSTONE/Gaetan Bally)

Truth or tale: Is Switzerland ‘doing nothing’ to prepare for climate change?

This content was published on Aug 31, 2026 Is Switzerland adequately preparing for the effects of climate change, or is it lagging behind other countries? We went looking for answers.

Two men are loading a rocket into a rocket launcher; black-and-white photograph

When Switzerland launched rockets to fight hail

This content was published on Aug 31, 2026 Switzerland pioneered the artificial modification of clouds, known as cloud seeding, which many countries now practise. However, recent experiments to reduce hail damage have not produced the desired results.

Swiss farmers prepare for droughts with major irrigation project

This content was published on Aug 28, 2026 Drought is putting Swiss farmers under pressure, prompting authorities to invest in a 90km irrigation network serving nearly 200 farms.

Elio Biadici in front of his house in Piano di Peccia, in the Maggia Valley, southern Switzerland on July, 3, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms triggered devastating debris flows and damage in the region in late June 2024.

Why Alpine debris flows are becoming more intense and unpredictable

This content was published on Aug 27, 2026 Swissinfo spoke to Markus Stoffel, head of the new Chair of Mountain Hazard Research at the University of Geneva, about how the climate crisis is reshaping debris flows and other Alpine hazards.

A view of the summit of the Weisshorn mountain shrouded in clouds, with the Weisshorn East hanging glacier to the left, above the Bisgletscher, August 25, 2026, in canton Valais.

Swiss experts downplay risk from unstable glacier

This content was published on Aug 26, 2026 Local officials and experts stress that the Weisshorn glacier is being closely monitored and poses no immediate threat to residents.

View of Bern rooftops, January 2026. After record summer heat in Europe, attention is turning to winter. There are concerns about higher energy prices and the impact of the ongoing US-Iran war.

Switzerland braces for winter as gas risks mount

This content was published on Aug 26, 2026 Six months into the US-Iran war, Switzerland has avoided fuel shortages but faces sharply higher energy prices and growing concerns over winter gas supplies.

Photo of man filling up a glass with water from a tap undergound

Inside a vital Swiss water source during a record drought

This content was published on Aug 24, 2026 In July, we visited a spring in canton Fribourg in western Switzerland during a record-breaking drought.

A hand holds a glass under a brass tap on a reservoir pipe, filling it with clear water.

How much water is left under Switzerland? Nobody can say yet

This content was published on Aug 24, 2026 At a vital spring in canton Fribourg, a record drought revealed a reassuring amount of water, but a shifting supply picture.

Drought in Switzerland: Europe’s ‘water tower’ runs dry

This content was published on Aug 21, 2026 Rivers reduced to trickles, scorched landscapes and forests taking on autumn colours weeks ahead of schedule: such scenes highlight the severity of a drought unmatched in Switzerland for decades.

In water-loving Switzerland, about 50 people drown every year

This content was published on Aug 16, 2026 Summer activities on Switzerland’s lakes and rivers are hugely popular, but their dangers are sometimes underestimated. Every year, about 50 drownings are recorded.

Tourists watch the ice melt in front of the tongue of the Rhone Glacier in southern Switzerland on July 16, 2026.

‘We will miss glacier meltwater,’ warns Swiss scientist

This content was published on Aug 14, 2026 The disappearance of glacier meltwater will only deepen future droughts, warns Swiss climatologist Erich Fischer.

Research frontiers

One year on, has Swiss AI model Apertus lived up to the hype?

This content was published on Sep 2, 2026 Switzerland’s open-source AI model is closing the gap with its rivals, but weaknesses on key tasks still limit its competitiveness.

Small groups decide which firms receive Innosuisse funds.

Swiss innovation fund faces conflict of interest concerns

This content was published on Aug 26, 2026 The Swiss Innovation Agency, which funds start-ups, faces questions over conflicts of interest.

Swiss pharma companies flock to North Carolina

This content was published on Aug 11, 2026 Swiss pharma firms are boosting investment in North Carolina as tariffs and tax breaks reshape production plans.

Can Switzerland work without Microsoft?

This content was published on Jul 23, 2026 From the public broadcaster to the railways and government ministries: why can’t Switzerland do without Microsoft?

Robots are unlikely to replace human workers any time soon

How artificial intelligence is shaping the Swiss job market

This content was published on Jul 22, 2026 AI experience is fast becoming an essential skill for hiring companies.

Swiss researchers push to make AI data centres more sustainable

This content was published on Jul 21, 2026 Researchers in Switzerland are developing solutions to reduce the growing energy and water demands of AI data centres. Will it be enough?

At CERN, AI will drive future discoveries

This content was published on Jul 13, 2026 CERN’s Large Hadron Collider produces 40 million particle collisions per second – far more data than computers can handle. Through real-time filtering, AI can help.

Estonia’s Digital Affairs Minister: Switzerland never had a ‘burning need’ to go digital

This content was published on Jul 9, 2026 Liisa Pakosta says Switzerland has everything it needs to move ahead with digital government – except the sense of urgency that drove Estonia’s transformation.

Iran-related posts attracted the highest levels of coordinated activity in analysis of 17.5 million comments across European public broadcasters’ social media accounts.

Manufactured debate: How coordinated networks are hijacking European news comment sections

This content was published on Jul 9, 2026 A joint investigation has found that bot networks, fake accounts and coordinated campaigns targeted the comment sections of European public broadcasters – with Iranian politics at the centre.

AI and social media platforms have accelerated deepfakes

How Switzerland is tackling the AI deepfake menace

This content was published on Jul 7, 2026 Online deepfakes intend to vilify, mislead or sow confusion and Switzerland is one of many countries seeking to contain the growing problem.

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 Geneva researchers are repurposing existing drugs for rare diseases, offering new hope where options are scarce.

Science

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Swiss NGO uses woollen blankets to reduce glacier melt

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Truth or tale: Is Switzerland ‘doing nothing’ to prepare for climate change?

More

When Switzerland launched rockets to fight hail

More

Swiss farmers prepare for droughts with major irrigation project

More

Why Alpine debris flows are becoming more intense and unpredictable

More

Swiss experts downplay risk from unstable glacier

More

Switzerland braces for winter as gas risks mount

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Inside a vital Swiss water source during a record drought

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How much water is left under Switzerland? Nobody can say yet

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Drought in Switzerland: Europe’s ‘water tower’ runs dry

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In water-loving Switzerland, about 50 people drown every year

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‘We will miss glacier meltwater,’ warns Swiss scientist

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One year on, has Swiss AI model Apertus lived up to the hype?

More

Swiss innovation fund faces conflict of interest concerns

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Swiss pharma companies flock to North Carolina

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Can Switzerland work without Microsoft?

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How artificial intelligence is shaping the Swiss job market

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Swiss researchers push to make AI data centres more sustainable

More

At CERN, AI will drive future discoveries

More

Estonia’s Digital Affairs Minister: Switzerland never had a ‘burning need’ to go digital

More

Manufactured debate: How coordinated networks are hijacking European news comment sections

More

How Switzerland is tackling the AI deepfake menace

More

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

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