Climate solutions

Coverage of Switzerland’s adaptation to new realities and opportunities posed by melting glaciers and permafrost, as well as what innovation looks like when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions.

Glaciers of the world, local melting and global impacts

This content was published on Dec 24, 2025 From the Alps to the polar regions, glaciers around the world are retreating at an ever-increasing rate. What are the consequences for populations and ecosystems?

Glaciers & permafrost

Glaciers of the world, local melting and global impacts

The partly flooded village of Blatten, Switzerland, after a landslide submerged it.

The Alps are melting, but the villagers will not be moved

This content was published on Nov 6, 2025 Switzerland is racing to rebuild Blatten, which was crushed by a glacier. It’s a sign of the economic and emotional costs of a warming Europe.

Opinion

Averting conflict can become Switzerland’s role in Arctic science diplomacy

This content was published on Oct 20, 2025 Switzerland is making meaningful contributions to Arctic governance and multilateral dialogue, as the Arctic becomes a geopolitical and environmental epicentre.

The peaks of Pik Kurumdy (6614m) at the border triangle of Kyrgyzstan, China and Tadjikistan. The Alaj valley in the Pamir Mountains, Asia, Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Central Asian glaciers resisted climate change. That may be ending.

This content was published on Oct 20, 2025 The glaciers of the Pamirs in Central Asia were among the few in the world that remained stable – or even grew – as others melted. According to a study, this anomaly may have come to an end.

Why melting glaciers affect us all

Alpine glaciers could disappear by the end of the century. The consequences will be felt not only in the Swiss Alps but all over the planet.

The ice sample extracted at a depth of 2,492 metres in Antarctica is ready for analysis.

Swiss science seeks answers to climate change in Antarctic ice

This content was published on Oct 1, 2025 Researchers in Bern are studying some of the oldest ice samples on the planet. They want to shed light on one of the main mysteries of the Earth’s climate.

The Clariden Glacier in the Swiss Central Alps in September 2025.

Alpine glaciers are melting even on the highest peaks

This content was published on Oct 1, 2025 Swiss glaciers have lost a quarter of their volume in ten years. Climate change is accelerating their melting even at higher altitudes.

View of the fjord and front of the Eqalorutsit Kangilliit Sermiat glacier in southern Greenland.

Fibre optics detect the invisible waves that melt Greenland’s ice sheet

This content was published on Aug 20, 2025 The breaking off of large chunks of ice from glaciers accelerates the melting of the Arctic ice sheet in Greenland. This has been measured for the first time by a research team using fibre optics.

Tourists admire the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe.

What is the future of glacier tourism in a world with less ice?

This content was published on Jul 23, 2025 Climate change puts glacier tourism at risk. How can this vital industry be saved for local communities? Here are some adaptation strategies.

Fading fast: the final years of East Africa’s glaciers

This content was published on Jul 23, 2025 East Africa’s tropical glaciers, from Kilimanjaro to Mount Kenya, are disappearing due to climate change. What does this mean for the continent’s water supply?

Researchers in Switzerland have tested the use of fibre optics on several Alpine glaciers (picture shows the Rhone Glacier).

Fibre optics on glaciers open new frontiers for natural disaster predictions

This content was published on Jun 29, 2025 The fibre-optic cables we use to surf the Internet and make phone calls could help us predict a landslide or the collapse of a glacier.

Emissions reduction

A lot of food goes to waste in Swiss households.

Why the Swiss waste more food than they think

This content was published on Dec 23, 2025 Despite years of awareness campaigns and a national project to reduce waste, large amounts of edible food go directly from Swiss kitchens to the trash.

Explainer: Swiss court admits Indonesia islanders climate case against Holcim

This content was published on Dec 22, 2025 A Swiss court has decided to admit a legal ⁠complaint against Swiss ⁠cement maker Holcim which alleges the company is doing too little to cut carbon ‌emissions.

‘Snow Compass’ guides Swiss resorts through declining snowfall

This content was published on Dec 15, 2025 As the Swiss Alps warm, resorts are being pushed to rethink their strategies and those at lower altitudes must look for alternatives to skiing. A new scientific online tool may offer solutions.

‘We cannot rely only on judges to drive the ecological transition’

This content was published on Dec 12, 2025 More people are turning to courts to push states and companies to do more for the climate. What’s been the result? We asked one of the world’s leading experts.

A neighbourhood with residential buildings

Living within planetary limits: Zurich’s 2,000-watt experiment

This content was published on Dec 1, 2025 Zurich is home to a unique housing cooperative meant to model sustainable living. A decade on, some residents have found changing their habits to be more challenging than expected.

Switzerland joined other countries at COP30 in calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels. But before leaving Belém, Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti made clear that the current geopolitical context complicated matters.

What the US pullback means for Switzerland’s climate priorities

This content was published on Nov 28, 2025 For Switzerland, the absence of the United States has strengthened its stance on climate finance but limited progress toward phasing out fossil fuels.

Four Indonesian islanders take on Swiss cement giant Holcim

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 A report from Pulau Pari, Indonesia, where four residents have vowed to fight a major Swiss company in one of the world’s most polluting industries.

two hands hold in front of the cop30 sign

COP30 analysis: too little, but still worthwhile

This content was published on Nov 24, 2025 Climate protection was not decisively strengthened, but the fragile COP30 deal still has certain value, says Swiss public radio, SRF, reporter Christian von Burg.

COP30: Switzerland reinvigorates its climate offsetting plan

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 At COP30, Switzerland announced the creation of an alliance of countries supporting a carbon offset scheme it pioneered.

How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 The journey of a UN-backed scheme to prevent deforestation through carbon offsets exposes the challenges of influencing climate-related practices from afar.

Aerial images of the community of Shintuya on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River. Shintuya, located in the Manu province and district of the Madre de Dios region, is the oldest native community that is part of the Amarakaeri Indigenous Reserve. It was founded on September 29, 1950, and is the first community of the Harakbut people.

Drug trade and land grabs threaten Amazon communities on climate front lines

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 Drug trafficking, violence and weak state support overshadow Peru’s Amarakaeri reserve, where Indigenous communities are struggling to protect forests.

Climate adaptation

Why the Swiss waste more food than they think

This content was published on Dec 23, 2025 Despite years of awareness campaigns and a national project to reduce waste, large amounts of edible food go directly from Swiss kitchens to the trash.

Explainer: Swiss court admits Indonesia islanders climate case against Holcim

‘Snow Compass’ guides Swiss resorts through declining snowfall

Professor Johan Gaume from ETH Zurich demonstrates his 3D simulation tool that accurately modelled the 10-million-cubic-metre rock-ice release in Blatten earlier this year.

Unstable slopes and warming peaks: Scientists race to understand Blatten collapse

This content was published on Dec 12, 2025 The collapse of the Birch Glacier that wiped out the Swiss village of Blatten has triggered an unprecedented scientific effort to understand how it happened – and what might come next.

Living within planetary limits: Zurich’s 2,000-watt experiment

What the US pullback means for Switzerland’s climate priorities

This content was published on Nov 28, 2025 For Switzerland, the absence of the United States has strengthened its stance on climate finance but limited progress toward phasing out fossil fuels.

Four Indonesian islanders take on Swiss cement giant Holcim

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 A report from Pulau Pari, Indonesia, where four residents have vowed to fight a major Swiss company in one of the world’s most polluting industries.

Ten years of Swiss climate votes since the Paris Agreement

This content was published on Nov 21, 2025 From Paris to the polls: in Switzerland, direct democracy means that climate policy is a public – and recurring – issue.

In 2023, transport accounted for 43% of Switzerland's CO2 emissions (not including aviation). Between 1990 and 2023, CO2 emissions from transport fell by 7%.

Switzerland climbs global climate ranking but progress is slow

This content was published on Nov 18, 2025 Switzerland has climbed seven places in an international climate ranking, but analysts say the country is still failing to cut emissions fast enough at home.

The introduction of more efficient and climate-friendly cookers is among the projects that industrialised states finance in developing countries to offset their emissions.

Emission reductions: the countries doing the ‘dirty work’ for Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 12, 2025 Switzerland has pioneered international carbon offsetting under the terms of the Paris Agreement. But the practice has generated fresh concerns and criticism.

The Alps are melting, but the villagers will not be moved

This content was published on Nov 6, 2025 Switzerland is racing to rebuild Blatten, which was crushed by a glacier. It’s a sign of the economic and emotional costs of a warming Europe.

Why the Swiss waste more food than they think

This content was published on Dec 23, 2025 Despite years of awareness campaigns and a national project to reduce waste, large amounts of edible food go directly from Swiss kitchens to the trash.

Explainer: Swiss court admits Indonesia islanders climate case against Holcim

Snow Compass: guiding Swiss skiing through warmer winters

This content was published on Dec 17, 2025 To help determine the best path forward, Swiss ski resorts are being assisted by Snow Compass, a forecasting tool created by Swiss scientists that uses data to assess climate impacts.

Understanding the Blatten disaster

This content was published on Dec 17, 2025 Experts are trying to better understand how the unprecedented Blatten collapse occurred – and how to better anticipate the next one.

‘Snow Compass’ guides Swiss resorts through declining snowfall

How is climate change affecting winter sports where you live?

Is climate change having a big impact on the winter sports and tourism industries where you live? Send us your thoughts.

Join the discussion

Dec 15, 2025

1 Comments

View the discussion

‘We cannot rely only on judges to drive the ecological transition’

Unstable slopes and warming peaks: Scientists race to understand Blatten collapse

What does life in the 2,000-watt experiment look like? Insights into the Hunziker Areal in Zurich

This content was published on Dec 9, 2025 Insights into life at Hunziker Areal in Zurich.

Living within planetary limits: Zurich’s 2,000-watt experiment

What the US pullback means for Switzerland’s climate priorities

This content was published on Nov 28, 2025 For Switzerland, the absence of the United States has strengthened its stance on climate finance but limited progress toward phasing out fossil fuels.

Four Indonesian islanders take on Swiss cement giant Holcim

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 A report from Pulau Pari, Indonesia, where four residents have vowed to fight a major Swiss company in one of the world’s most polluting industries.

The climate challenge – is there reason to hope?

This content was published on Nov 25, 2025 Despite a lacklustre COP30, this week’s Inside Geneva’s guests are surprisingly optimistic on climate change mitigation.

COP30 analysis: too little, but still worthwhile

COP30: Switzerland reinvigorates its climate offsetting plan

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 At COP30, Switzerland announced the creation of an alliance of countries supporting a carbon offset scheme it pioneered.

How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 The journey of a UN-backed scheme to prevent deforestation through carbon offsets exposes the challenges of influencing climate-related practices from afar.

Drug trade and land grabs threaten Amazon communities on climate front lines

This content was published on Nov 22, 2025 Drug trafficking, violence and weak state support overshadow Peru’s Amarakaeri reserve, where Indigenous communities are struggling to protect forests.

Ten years of Swiss climate votes since the Paris Agreement

This content was published on Nov 21, 2025 From Paris to the polls: in Switzerland, direct democracy means that climate policy is a public – and recurring – issue.

Switzerland climbs global climate ranking but progress is slow

Emission reductions: the countries doing the ‘dirty work’ for Switzerland

We can still solve the climate crisis – here’s how

This content was published on Nov 10, 2025 Greenhouse gas emissions and temperatures continue to rise around the world. But there are solutions, say researchers in Switzerland who took part in Swissinfo’s survey on the state of the climate.

The Alps are melting, but the villagers will not be moved

This content was published on Nov 6, 2025 Switzerland is racing to rebuild Blatten, which was crushed by a glacier. It’s a sign of the economic and emotional costs of a warming Europe.

A conference room filled with participants during the opening session of the PRE-COP30 meeting

What to expect from Switzerland’s climate diplomacy at COP30

This content was published on Nov 6, 2025 Ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil, Switzerland is sending mixed signals about its engagement in climate diplomacy.

Bleached corals and fish swimming around them

Scientists sound alarm over climate ‘tipping points’ ahead of COP30

This content was published on Nov 6, 2025 With the widespread, irreversible die-off of tropical coral reefs, the Earth has reached its first climate tipping point. Scientists warn that others may soon follow, from melting ice sheets to rainforest collapse.

A road destroyed by the storm with fallen electricity pylons, debris and people walking along the road

‘Flexibility is key’ in the race to deliver aid after Hurricane Melissa

This content was published on Nov 4, 2025 The Red Cross’s approach to hurricanes like Melissa focuses on faster action, local partnerships and forecast-based relief.

Climate change consequences: Skiers in Engelberg on January 7, 2023. The so-called zero-degree limit, where rain turns to snow, has risen by several hundred metres since the early 20th century and is projected to climb another 550 metres by the end of the century, to around 1,450 metres in winter.

Switzerland braces for more heatwaves, droughts and violent storms

This content was published on Nov 4, 2025 Switzerland is heading for a future that is hotter, drier and more unpredictable, with less snow and heavier rainfall, according to a new climate report.

Switzerland’s climate researchers reveal the emotional side of science

This content was published on Oct 31, 2025 Climate change not only has visible effects on ecosystems and human activities. It also has an emotional and psychological impact on those who study it.

The effects of 1.5°C global warming in Switzerland and beyond

This content was published on Oct 30, 2025 The goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is out of reach. What are the possible consequences for life on Earth?

Harvesting coffee in Alfenas, Brazil, in July. The country is the world’s largest coffee producer.

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

This content was published on Oct 24, 2025 A new report by an industry watchdog adds to growing scientific consensus that as forests are felled to make way for coffee farms, rainfall decreases and crops are more likely to fail.

Climate experts in Switzerland: 1.5°C target is out of reach

This content was published on Oct 24, 2025 Ten years after the Paris Agreement, a survey of Swiss climate scientists shows they no longer expect the world to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Swissinfo climate scientist survey 2025

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Swissinfo asked scientists in Switzerland 22 questions focused around the state of climate research, policy and global warming 10 years after the Paris Agreement. Here are all the results.

Will the sun still shine on renewable energy tomorrow?

This content was published on Oct 21, 2025 The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change boosted renewable energy in Switzerland and around the world. But solar and wind power are losing momentum in some countries.

Opinion

Averting conflict can become Switzerland’s role in Arctic science diplomacy

Central Asian glaciers resisted climate change. That may be ending.

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

This content was published on Oct 17, 2025 In Switzerland farmers are experimenting with new crops that can withstand heat and drought. But the transition has its challenges.

Neuchâtel and Zurich are as hot today as Italy 50 years ago

This content was published on Oct 14, 2025 Current temperatures in Switzerland are similar to those found much further south a few decades ago, RTS reports.