On 10 July 2022, an okapi, or forest giraffe, was born at Basel Zoo. The new arrival is only the fifth calf to be born at the zoo over more than 20 years. The newly born calf named “Toka” is the son of mother Ebony (10) and father Imba (15). Described as strong and curious, […]
Price paid for solar electricity too low for many Swiss home owners
Home owners with solar panels can put any excess electricity the produce into the grid. However, the price paid in much of Switzerland is too low to encourage home owners to install extra solar capacity, reports RTS. Some politicians would like to see this changed. Prices paid for solar energy added to the grid in […]
Geneva’s strict rules boost sales of most polluting air conditioners
Rules restricting the installation of air conditioning in Geneva have led to a rise in the purchase of inefficient mobile air conditioning units. Installing air conditioning in Switzerland is often subject to rules set at the cantonal level. Geneva is the strictest canton. To qualify, a home owner must prove they have a legitimate need, […]
Allowing trucks on Swiss roads at night under discussion
Under current rules trucks are not allowed on Swiss roads between 10pm and 5am and on Sundays, with some exceptions. However, the Swiss authorities are discussing the possibility of loosening these rules in order reduce daytime traffic, reported Le Matin. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is considering reducing the time period at night when heavy […]
Another heatwave forecast for Switzerland
After an early taste of high summer temperatures in May and June another hot spell is predicted to begin in Switzerland this week, according to forecasting by Meteo News. By Wednesday 13 July 2022, temperatures are expected to rise as high as 33 degrees in Geneva and Basel and 34 degrees in Sion in the […]
Switzerland gets green light to restart oldest nuclear power plant
On 1 July 2022, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (FNSI) gave a green light for the restart of Beznau 1, Switzerland’s oldest nuclear reactor. The reactor, which entered operation in 1969, was shut down on 29 April 2022 for planned annual maintenance. During the work the fuel assembly was replaced, said FNSI. The work […]
Swiss minister asks public to reduce their heating next winter
Switzerland faces a potential gas shortage next winter, warns Switzerland’s Federal Council. Reduced consumption or rationing cannot be ruled out, it warns. At a press conference in Bern on Wednesday, economy minister Guy Parmelin said that there is a very real risk of a gas shortage over winter, reported RTS. Around three quarters of the […]
Swiss restaurant fines those who don’t finish their meals
An Indian restaurant in Baden in the Swiss canton of Aargau threatens those who don’t finish their plates with fines. The system has been in place for two years, reports Le Matin. In a bid to cut food waste the Casanova restaurant has come up with a system of CHF 5 fines for unfinished plates. […]
Swiss government looking at how to tax electric vehicles
Roads in Switzerland are largely funded via tax on fuel. But with electric vehicles set to become the main means of road transport and no equivalent taxes on electricity the government is looking at alternative forms of tax to fund roads, reports 20 Minutes. The Federal Council has asked the Federal Department of the Environment, […]
This June the second hottest on record in Switzerland
June 2022 was the second hottest June since measures began in 1864, reported RTS. In several places maximum daytime temperatures reached all-time records for the month. The average temperature across Switzerland in June 2022 was 2.7 degrees above the norm over the period from 1991-2020. Since 1864, only June 2003 was hotter. Then average monthly […]
