A report published this week by WSL, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research, calculates Switzerland could double the amount of energy it gets from burning biomass to 97 peta joules (PJ) a year, with 50 PJ coming from wood combustion. In 2019, Switzerland generated 41 PJ of energy burning wood. This […]
How Lausanne’s Ukraine Centre is helping Ukrainians help Ukrainians
Within a few weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine over 6,000 refugees had fled to Switzerland’s canton of Vaud. In response, three English speaking churches in Lausanne grouped together with other concerned local residents to set up the Ukraine Day Centre to help the refugees. “The canton was doing its utmost to provide vital […]
Geneva’s dangerous addiction to antibiotics
Residents of Geneva consume 45% more antibiotics than an average resident of Switzerland, reported RTS. According to a senior doctor at Geneva’s HUG hospital the canton’s high rate of antibiotic consumption could explain record levels of antibiotic resistance in the canton. Overall, Switzerland’s French speakers consume 40% more antibiotics per capita than their German-speaking compatriots. […]
Large differences in number of C-section births across Switzerland
In Switzerland, around a third of births are by caesarean section. However, this average hides a significant difference between French- and German-speaking Switzerland, reported RTS. In 2021, there were 86,800 births of which 28,500 were delivered by caesarean section (33%). Overall, Switzerland has one of the highest rates of caesarean section in Europe. In France […]
Switzerland’s first female minister dies
On 14 April 2023, the death of Elisabeth Kopp, the first woman appointed to the Federal Council, Switzerland’s cabinet, was announced. Elisabeth Kopp, died on Good Friday at the age of 86 after a long illness, reported SRF. The Zurich native was the first female member of the Federal Council after being elected on 2 […]
In 10 years 40% of Swiss workers will regularly work from home, predicts research
According to a report published this week, 40% of employees in Switzerland are predicted to regularly work from home within the next 10 years. In 2001, less than 1% of Switzerland’s employees did more than half of their work from home. By 2019, the same figure was 25%. Then Covid-19 struck. During the first lockdown […]
Swiss greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2021
Government data published on 11 April 2023, show Switzerland’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 3% in 2021. In 2021, greenhouse gas emissions rose to 45.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, 1.3 million more than in 2020. The emission figure does not include everything. Notably, flight emissions, wood burning heating systems and emissions associated with anything […]
Swiss efforts to cut energy consumption deliver mixed results
On 31 August 2022, when an energy shortage loomed, Switzerland’s federal government launched a campaign to cut the nation’s energy consumption. Targets were set to cut gas consumption by 15% and electricity use by 10%. Data published this week showed cuts to gas consumption exceeded the voluntary target set, while cuts to electricity were well […]
Credit Suisse: Swiss parliament rejects 109 billion government backstop
When a bank run started at Credit Suisse in mid-March 2023, a rushed acquisition deal involving UBS, the Swiss National Bank and Swiss federal government was agreed. The deal, which includes CHF 109 billion of federal government guarantees, was agreed by the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive. This week Switzerland’s parliament rejected the CHF 109 billion federal […]
Price of Swiss train tickets to rise in December
From 10 December 2023, average Swiss train prices are set to rise by an average of 4.3%, reported RTS. However, not everyone will feel the same level of pain. Those travelling on second class AG passes will be particularly hard hit, according to the Alliance Swiss Pass, an organisation that creates travel passes covering different […]
