A study by the Aargau Department of Construction, Transport and Environment shows that forests can make a significant contribution to the CO₂ balance. Through near-natural management and increased cascading use of wood, long-term CO₂ storage can be achieved and emissions reduced by up to 3.7

The Swiss construction industry is facing major challenges in terms of material consumption and emissions. Two Innosuisse-funded projects led by ETH Zurich are demonstrating solutions: Think Earth is developing sustainable building materials such as recycled materials, while Swircular is using

A new report by the Federal Council shows that the retreat of glaciers in the Alps increases the potential for electricity production and seasonal energy storage from hydropower. Despite the additional potential of up to 2430 gigawatt hours, conflicts of interest make it difficult to fully exploit

Zug Estates has celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for the final new-build project on the Suurstoffi site in Rotkreuz. Two buildings and a central park should be completed by mid-2027. The Central Switzerland Health Education Centre will move into one of the new

Thurplus has put a photovoltaic system into operation on the roof of Signer Elektromotoren. The system has an output of 62 kilowatt peak and is expected to generate 62,000 kilowatt hours per year. The energy supplier financed the system and will operate

The Basel-based energy supplier IWB has received authorisation to build a solar plant on the former landfill site in Liesberg. From spring 2026, solar power for around 1000 households will be generated from

The WOGE project of the OST University of Applied Sciences aims to promote the efficient use of living space. People who want to downsize their living space are supported in moving, renovating or finding a roommate. The pilot project is starting in Aarau and will continue in Köniz BE and

Precise data on CO₂ emissions is needed to achieve the climate targets. As part of the EU project "ICOS Cities", Zurich is one of three pilot cities being precisely measured. Empa researchers are developing innovative measurement and modelling methods in collaboration with city administrations in

A joint study by the University of Freiburg and Fraunhofer ISE shows: The visual integration of photovoltaics (PV) on buildings plays a key role in their acceptance. Particularly in the case of historical buildings, colour-matched modules lead to a significant improvement in

The partial revision 2024 of the cantonal structure plan of the Canton of Zurich is open to the public from December 6, 2024 to March 14, 2025. Citizens and planning authorities are invited to comment on the revision. The focus is on new landfill sites, flood protection and the reduction of light

The DVFA Real Estate Commission has published a comprehensive guide to energy modernization. This offers practical strategies for real estate companies to transform their portfolios sustainably and to meet the regulatory and economic challenges of the

The EPFL campus in Fribourg is growing. Six new chairs focusing on the built environment, energy and climate will be established by 2030. The innovative Smart Living Lab (SLL) and the new Centre for Worldwide Sustainable Construction (CWSC) will position Fribourg as a leading research location for

A new path to green energy is emerging in the Black Forest. Wood waste is turned into biohydrogen. Researchers are developing a biotechnological process that promotes the wood-based circular economy. From 2025, a modular pilot plant will test the innovative process for renewable hydrogen production

According to the first Solar Monitor Switzerland, solar energy could cover around 80% of the country's electricity expansion by 2035 and supply over 28 terawatt hours annually. Turnover in the sector is growing steadily, but skilled workers are in demand to achieve the expansion targets. Solar

The Cultured Hub was opened in Kemptthal - a state-of-the-art facility for the development and scaling of sustainable food and cell products. Companies are given access to laboratories, production capacities and networks to accelerate their market launch. The Hub enables pilot projects of up to

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a photonic processor that performs AI calculations using light instead of electrons. The system enables ultra-fast data processing with minimal energy consumption and could revolutionise computer technology in the long

UBS presents its "Downhill Climb" study at the Building Bridges Conference 2024. The analysis shows that Switzerland has a strong starting position for the transition to net zero, but challenges such as electricity capacity, energy storage and negative emissions must be

The "Think Earth - Regenerative Building" flagship project, which is funded by Innosuisse, is researching innovative construction methods using wood and clay. The aim is to develop efficient, scalable methods for climate-neutral construction and to strengthen the circular

Partners Group has agreed to acquire Empira Group, a leading property investment platform. This strategic acquisition marks a turning point for the industry and supports Partners Group's growth ambitions in the residential and sustainability

The most important competition for sustainable design, the Holcim Foundation Prize 2025, is now open. With a global prize pool of USD 1 million, the competition is looking for innovative projects that promote sustainable construction methods and

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and industrial partner Matica have commissioned a pilot plant for a sorption storage heat pump in Frauenfeld. Here, solar energy is stored thermochemically without loss in summer and utilised for heating in

Solar Manager launches a new gateway for solar power. Solar Manager Connect 2 is a top-hat rail component that is compatible with 500 devices from different

The Innovation Foundation of Schwyzer Kantonalbank has participated as lead investor in the seed financing of Sintio AG. The start-up from Freienbach has developed software for the intelligent operation of charging stations for electric

Romande Energie invests in yord. Thanks to sensors and artificial intelligence, the application from the Fribourg-based start-up optimises heat consumption in buildings. It reduces heating-related energy consumption by up to 40 per cent without intervening in the heating

Rhenus Logistics AG is opening its Swiss logistics centre in Möhlin in January 2025. Around 80 employees will be supported there by 30 robots and seven RoboShuttles. The photovoltaic system on the roof will generate 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity per

The city of Winterthur is introducing the harmonised building terms of the "Intercantonal Agreement on the Harmonisation of Building Terms" (IVHB) with a partial revision of the building and zoning regulations (BZO). In doing so, it is implementing cantonal requirements and creating a more

With over 70,000 square metres of rental space, THE VERSE will be the largest project of its kind in Munich's city centre. Thanks to optimised plans by Herzog & de Meuron, a forward-looking quarter is being created that combines ecology, quality of life and urban

Hardwood is increasingly being cultivated in Swiss forests and its sustainable utilisation requires new approaches. Empa researchers have developed a ground-breaking solution: Wood that glows green with the help of a fungus and, as a biohybrid, enables new applications in design and

The 103rd immoTable Zug brought together leading minds to discuss economic growth, sustainable urban development and innovative projects. Visionary approaches and concrete solutions demonstrated the diverse opportunities and challenges that characterise the Zug region.

The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) is part of the European research project TIMBERHAUS. A total of 19 partners from ten countries want to promote timber construction in