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Swiss argue targets central to Lima climate talks

This content was published on Dec 1, 2014 Unlike recent climate summits, the 20th Conference of Parties (COP20) begins its two weeks of negotiations, involving over 190 countries, following a recent rush of ostensibly good news. Just weeks after the European Union set a drastic 40 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2030 from 1990 levels, an agreement between the United States…

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Nuclear phase-out poised to take shape

This content was published on Dec 1, 2014 When should nuclear power be phased out? How much hydro-, solar and wind power will Switzerland need in the future and what are the potential savings? These are some of the key energy questions Swiss parliamentarians must grapple with next week in Bern.

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Study recommends pursuing geothermal energy

This content was published on Nov 20, 2014 A new study has concluded that Switzerland should continue to pursue geothermal energy as part of its future strategy.

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More greenhouse gas emissions but at less intensity

This content was published on Nov 11, 2014 The production of goods and services contributed to 65% of total greenhouse gas emissions that increased by 4% since 1990. However, this was accompanied by an almost 40% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) over the same period. As a result, Switzerland has the lowest greenhouse gas intensity in Europe. The creation of CHF1 ($1.03)…

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Keeping tabs on migrating birds

This content was published on Oct 28, 2014

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Water quality of Swiss rivers criticised by WWF

This content was published on Oct 20, 2014 Whereas rivers in France and Austria are generally clean, rivers in Switzerland have been given poor marks in a study by WWF Austria and conducted by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. No other alpine country uses its rivers as intensively as Switzerland, which has around 1,500 power plants and 150,000 artificial weirs, the environmental organisation reported on Monday. This has an effect on flora and fauna. “Intact rivers, streams, wetlands and flood plains provide us with clean water and vital flood protection,” said Christopher Bonzi, head of WWF Switzerland’s water programme. “We can’t consider them only as energy providers.” But in Switzerland, protection of the remaining natural waterways is less strict than in the European Union. WWF Switzerland criticised the fact that whereas the EU explicitly forbids deterioration of valuable bodies of water, Switzerland financially supports small hydropower projects. According to the study, only one in ten rivers in the entire alpine region fulfils its role as an area for relaxation, a reservoir of drinking water and natural protection against flooding. Out of around 22,000km, 6,500km of rivers are dammed, diverted or forced into concrete beds. The study looked at all rivers in Austria, Italy, Slovenia, France, Germany and Switzerland with a catchment area of more than ten square kilometres and their tributaries – a total of 57,000km. WWF’s goal is to set up areas in these countries where the use of rivers for production of power and other infrastructure projects would be taboo.

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Toxic drug could threaten Alpine vultures

This content was published on Oct 7, 2014 A veterinary drug administered to cattle caused a decline of almost 99% in vulture populations in India that fed on the contaminated carcasses. It is now being sold in Europe, potentially putting Alpine vultures at risk.

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WWF warns of planet ‘burn-out’ risk

This content was published on Sep 30, 2014 World wildlife populations have dropped by 52% in 40 years, far faster than previously thought, the non-governmental WWF has said. It points the finger at countries like Switzerland for using far more resources than they need.

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Swiss options run thin as economy wilts

This content was published on Sep 9, 2014 Economists predict that Switzerland faces several months of weaker economic growth having used up most of the trump cards it once played to insulate itself against global turmoil.

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Setting limits for spreading forests

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Swiss argue targets central to Lima climate talks

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Nuclear phase-out poised to take shape

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Study recommends pursuing geothermal energy

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More greenhouse gas emissions but at less intensity

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Keeping tabs on migrating birds

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Water quality of Swiss rivers criticised by WWF

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Toxic drug could threaten Alpine vultures

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WWF warns of planet ‘burn-out’ risk

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Swiss options run thin as economy wilts

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