Swiss Stories

Happy Genie

Swiss a-Peel

Environment
Two start-ups born in Switzerland are bringing the concepts of 'cradle-to-cradle' and 'circular economy' closer to home by giving organic waste a new, fashionable lease on life.

by Miguel Quintana

Lake Geneva

Water from Lake Geneva used to heat and cool buildings

Environment
Thermal networks can provide an environmentally sound method of heating and cooling buildings, as evidenced by the GeniLac project launched in 2009 in the canton of Geneva. The goal of the GeniLac project is to replace oil and gas-powered air conditioning and heating systems with alternative water powered systems. GeniLac is operated by power company Services industriels de Genève (SIG) and forms part of the canton of Geneva's climate strategy.

by Lea Huszno

ibex

The Swiss National Park – nature at its purest

Environment
In April 2021, the Swiss National Park became the first Swiss site to be included on the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This special distinction is already inspiring other parks in Switzerland and in neighbouring regions.

by Lea Huszno

gypaète barbu

Typical fauna from the Swiss mountains

Environment
The marmot, the bearded vulture, the lynx, the wolf and the ibex are five creatures that – with a bit of luck – you might just spot in the Swiss mountains. Discover the history and stories surrounding these five species.

by Lea Huszno

© Romande Energie

World's first high-altitude floating solar farm – in the Swiss Alps

Environment
The Swiss mountain village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre has a unique claim to fame: a floating solar power plant at 1,810 metres above sea level.

by Lea Huszno

Cargo sous terrain

Cargo sous terrain: the project taking Swiss innovation to a whole new level

Environment
Cargo sous terrain (CST) is a new, innovative, totally ecological, state-of-the-art project. As the idea is so new, it also brings with it uncertainties and doubts about its implementation. However, this did not dissuade the Federal Council: in February 2020 it issued the legal basis for the project, which aims to take freight transport underground.
In September 2018, GreenGT unveiled its fourth sports car, H2 Speed, developed in collaboration with Pininfarina. This makes it a racing car, but one that will complete the circuit with a hydrogen-powered engine instead © GreenGT

The future of Swiss transport is hydrogen-powered

Environment
Imagine a vehicle that emits only water vapour. Such technology has now become possible thanks to hydrogen. For over ten years, Switzerland has been an open-air laboratory for this promising renewable energy source. Several major projects led by ETH Zurich and EPFL, distribution companies and start-ups are now reaching maturity and are placing the country at the forefront of a green revolution.