This week, an experiment to use electric cars to stabilise the electricity grid started in Switzerland. The VX2 Swiss project, which will run for a year, will inject the power from the batteries of 50 electric vehicles into the grid while they are not being used. Run from Bern, the project brings together seven companies […]
Swiss government launches energy saving campaign
On 31 August 2022, Switzerland’s federal government launched its campaign to cut energy consumption to reduce the risks of an energy shortfall over the coming winter. The government stressed that there was currently no energy shortfall. However, Simonetta Sommaruga, the minister in charge of energy, said it was important to cut energy consumption to avoid […]
Chart of the week: Swiss forest cover compared to other European nations
Before humans settled in western Europe the majority of its surface was covered in forest. Since then much of the natural forest has been displaced by agriculture, buildings and infrastructure. In a list of 16 western European nations, Switzerland was ranked 9th in terms of the percentage of its surface covered in forest (32%). Finland, […]
The 3 biggest current concerns in Switzerland, based on survey
According to a recent survey, health costs, pensions and climate change and the three greatest concerns among Switzerland’s population. The online survey published by Tamedia on 26 August 2022 looks at support for the main political parties along with the main concerns of voters. Since the previous survey on 5 January 2022, support for the […]
2022 Switzerland’s second hottest summer since 1864
The summer of 2022 was Switzerland’s second hottest since the beginning of measurements in 1864, according to weather forecaster Meteo Swiss. The only hotter summer was recorded in 2003. The last three months were extremely dry, especially in western Switzerland, with repeated heat waves and sunshine hours well above the norm, wrote Meteo News. Average […]
Early grape harvest looks promising for 2022 Swiss wine vintage
An unusually hot summer in Switzerland has brought forward grape harvesting by a record three weeks, reported RTS. A harvest this early has never been seen before and is expected to result in good quality grapes that could produce excellent wine. Last year, disturbed weather patterns took a huge toll on Swiss grape harvests. Yields […]
Swiss government opens door to car sharing fast lane
This week, Switzerland’s federal government opened the door to faster car sharing lanes from 1 February 2023, reported RTS. Federal government amendments to Switzerland’s road sign ordinance to include car sharing signs mean cantons and cities will soon be able to introduce car sharing lanes. Car sharing, or pooling, encourages car sharing by allowing vehicles […]
Swiss government sets 15% gas saving target
This week, the federal government fixed a voluntary objective for Switzerland to reduce gas consumption by 15% over the coming winter, according to RTS. The Federal Council’s 15% gas saving objective, announced on 24 August 2021, covers the period between October 2022 and March 2023. The EU has set the same objective. Switzerland produces no […]
Federal court decision could end plans for free public transport across Switzerland
A decision by the government of the canton of Fribourg to declare free public transport illegal is being challenged at Switzerland’s Federal Tribunal. A decision by Switzerland’s top court in line with Fribourg’s government could impact plans for free public transport in other Swiss cantons. Switzerland’s constitution appears to exclude the possibility of free public […]
Federal motion aims to ban junk mail in Switzerland
Recently, a motion was put forward in Switzerland’s federal parliament to ban junk mail, reported RTS. In 2018, Swiss Post delivered 2.7 million adverts equivalent to 128 tonnes of paper, according to Katja Christ a parliamentarian from the Liberal Green Party and author of the motion. Nearly 60% of the adverts are unsolicited and around […]
