The city of Zurich is planning to replace the disused Hagenholz recycling centre with a new recycling centre. The building is designed as a pilot project for circular construction. The city intends to invest 33.1 million Swiss francs in the project. The voters will decide on the

Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is a new generation of long-term storage systems. Underground compressed air systems such as the AirBattery could secure the power supply efficiently, economically and in an environmentally friendly manner, even during dark doldrums. Thanks to technical

How can construction be designed in such a way that materials are not consumed but reused? This question is at the centre of the Circular Time Lab at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Architecture students and apprentices from regional timber construction companies are using reusable

In the first half of 2025, solar power generation reached new highs across Europe, especially in Germany. At the same time, a windless spring led to a decline in wind power figures. Despite growing photovoltaic output, the share of renewable energies in German net electricity generation fell

Aventron AG and energieUri AG have started construction of the first alpine solar plant in Central Switzerland. The photovoltaic plant in Spiringen will produce around 12.5 gigawatt hours of solar power per year from 2029. This year, 10 per cent of the plant is to be put into

The Stadtwerk Winterthur climate fund has awarded CHF 70,000 in funding for regional climate protection, energy efficiency and CO2 reduction projects. This year's beneficiaries are Next Gas GmbH from Kloten ZH, the Soily association from Winterthur and the start-up SimpleTrain from Wallisellen

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) are developing an organic material that binds carbon dioxide from the air and uses it to form biomass and solid minerals. It consists of a hydrogel containing blue-green

The Canton of Zurich's Vocational Training Fund has established itself as a mainstay of the dual education system. With over CHF 23 million, it supports training companies, promotes practical innovations and contributes to securing skilled labour. The 2024 annual report impressively demonstrates

Empa receives the prestigious Building Award 2025 for a pioneering concrete process. With the help of biochar pellets, the building material is not only climate-friendly, but also actively stores CO₂. The award-winning development is an example of a profound change in the construction industry

The Interreg project Walz 4.0 is creating an ambitious model for sustainable construction in the four-country region of Lake Constance. Under the leadership of the ZHAW, craftsmanship expertise, academic knowledge and digital technologies are being combined. The aim is a building culture that

A research team at ETH Zurich has developed a novel, 3D-printable building material that stores carbon dioxide not only in biomass, but also in the form of mineral compounds. The gel with embedded cyanobacteria could transform façades into living carbon reservoirs in the future and thus radically

The canton of Basel-Stadt is currently trialling new furniture for Basel's meeting zones. CO2-neutral and cement-reduced concrete is being tested for the production of benches and plant troughs. The aim is to make the meeting zones as climate-friendly as

A research team at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is looking for cement formulations that reduce CO2-intensive clinker in cement mixtures. The researchers used a modelling method supported by artificial intelligence

HORTUS, a new type of office building that focuses on radical sustainability, from construction to operation, has opened in Allschwil. The project is part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area and combines CO₂ reduction, circular economy and user comfort. The space is already almost fully

Many companies have long been operating in a circular way without realising it. In their new publication, authors André Podleisek and Nicolas Hofer show how everyday practices contribute to the circular economy and what economic benefits this brings. Their model offers SMEs and start-ups a

With the "Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling" project, VSPR and VKR, together with leading partners, are launching a nationwide system for taking back and recycling plastic pipes. The aim is to create a nationwide material cycle that is ecologically and economically sound and taps into previously

The Association of Swiss Plastic Recyclers and the Association of Plastic Pipes and Pipe Components have launched the Swiss Plastic Pipe Recycling project. The aim is to recycle plastic pipes throughout Switzerland for the first time. Companies such as Burkhalter, Eberhard, Meier Tobler, Geberit

The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) has put the move-MEGA methanisation plant into operation. This is intended to improve the power-to-gas process by means of sorption-enhanced

Strabag has installed a filter well in Trubschachen. The well was installed at a depth of 25 metres using a hydraulic cable excavator and will secure the region's drinking water supply for the next 70 to 80

Switzerland ranks at the bottom of Europe in terms of electricity production from wind and solar power. according to a study by the Swiss Energy Foundation, 11 per cent of domestic electricity production is generated in this way. This is 7.2 percentage points more than five years ago. Neighbouring

Lignum Holzwirtschaft Bern has published a series of brochures under the name "Forest and Wood Compass". The practical documents are intended to support authorities and administrations in the sustainable use of

The town of Dietikon plans to start construction work on the stream adventure trail in Grunschen Park on 7 July. The natural Kneipp facility should be completed by late summer. The canton of Zurich and the town of Dietikon are investing a total of CHF 160,000 in the

The Durabilitas Foundation for Sustainable Development has worked with partners to develop recommendations on how soils can be better taken into account in spatial planning. Applications in other countries and Swiss pilot projects were analysed for this

Megasol has developed special photovoltaic modules for the façade of the Bern 131 project in WankdorfCity. Together with the roof system, the shimmering blue modules will generate around 340,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. The building created by Atelier 5 is SNBS

After around a year of construction, the new meeting zone at Schlieren railroad station has been completed. With more green spaces, street cafés and a modern design concept, the public space is being upgraded and will be officially opened on June 20 and

With a digital guide, the IRAP and IPM institutes of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland and the company GEOINFO Applications AG are developing a platform that can be used throughout Switzerland to support municipalities and planners in site development. The focus is on

The municipality of Glarus Nord is setting new standards in residential development with a participatory planning process along Ziegelbrückstrasse. By involving the owners at an early stage, a framework plan is being created that not only enables structural densification, but also creates identity

With a revised strategy, the city of Aarau wants to meet the urban challenges of our time in a smart way. Networking, user focus and resource conservation are at the heart of this. Digital change is seen as a tool, not an end in

The world's longest solar fence with a length of over one kilometer is being built along the Reinach - Münchenstein streetcar line. The lighthouse project combines renewable energy generation with urban infrastructure. A pioneering step towards sustainable urban

A postulate report sees no need to create further financial incentives for building renovation. Instead, the focus should be on advice and information. According to the report, there is also a good range of offers from the federal government and cantons in this