Keystone-SDA
This content was published on
September 18, 2024 – 12:39
(Keystone-ATS) Public service providers that have subscribed to the Confédération Exemplarity Energy and Climate (EEC) initiative have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 7% in 2023. This result is explained by efforts in the areas of heating and mobility.
In these areas, public institutions have increasingly used renewable energy sources. As a result, their greenhouse gas emissions from scopes 1 and 2 (direct and indirect emissions) have fallen from 632,700 to 590,300 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq) between 2022 and 2023, the Federal Office for the Environment (SFOE) said on Wednesday in a press release relating to the annual report on the implementation of the initiative.
While in 2023, the average final energy consumption of these players remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, electricity consumption is slightly up, notes the OFEN. This change is due to the increase in electric vehicles and heat pumps.
It should be noted that the stakeholders in this initiative have committed to using only renewable electricity by 2026. However, not all of them have yet achieved this objective, due to the still limited availability of “clean” electricity, the press release points out.
The footprint of business travel
Compared to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions from business travel increased by 19%, from 58,000 to 69,000 t CO2eq, the OFEN added. This increase is due in particular to the lifting of travel restrictions after the end of the pandemic. Some players have nevertheless managed to reduce their carbon footprint in this area, according to the report.
The EEC initiative is aimed at Switzerland’s leading providers of public services. Under its aegis, they commit to making their contribution to the Energy Strategy 2050 and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The focus is on energy efficiency, renewable energies and climate-friendly financial flows.
The signatories include the Federal Civil Administration, the SBB, the BLS, the Zurich and Geneva airports, the Post Office, the DDPS and the SSR.
