Indicator Climate

In 2023 around CHF 530 million was paid out in subsidies under the Buildings Programme. Payments were therefore even higher than in the previous record year of 2022. Since funding began in 2010, almost CHF 3.6 billion has been paid out for six areas of measures in the Buildings Programme. Payments for indirect measures have been available since 2018.

While payments for thermal insulation projects continued to rise slightly at a high level, payments for building services projects have more than tripled since 2019. In most cases, these involve replacing oil heating systems with air source heat pumps. As a result, they are now the category with the highest payments (41%), ahead of thermal insulation projects (26%) and system renovations (18%). The strong momentum in this area lead to a record CO₂ impact in 2023.

Thanks to the measures supported by the Buildings Programme since 2010, 1.064 million tonnes of CO₂ can be saved each year, calculated over the lifetime of the systems in question (Fig. CO₂ impact of the Buildings Programme). 

The energy reference area of buildings constructed or refurbished to the Minergie-P® standard rose continuously up to 2013 (Fig. Minergie® standard buildings). Since 2015, energy reference areas have stagnated at a relatively high level, with increased values in the last three years. The Minergie-A® standard energy reference area has also increased slightly since 2011.

The amounts paid out each year under the Buildings Programme have been rising continuously since 2017. Since the impact of the measures extends over several years, the cumulative impact increases every year. The trend is therefore assessed as positive. However, because the great potential for reducing emissions in the buildings sector is far from being achieved, the state is assessed as negative.

• Related indicators
• CO2 Emissions from thermal and motor fuels
• Energiebezugsfläche
• Living space

The CO₂ effect of the Buildings Programme has been calculated since 2017 based on the cantons’ harmonised funding model (ModEnHa 2015). It takes the energy and CO₂ savings generated per subsidised measure into consideration. These savings are significantly higher than the effect represented here and directly attributable to the Buildings Programme. Some project owners have actually implemented certain energy measures without a subsidy (deadweight effect). The represented effect of the Buildings Programme corresponds to the energy or CO₂ savings of subsidised projects, minus the deadweight effects.

Data for buildings carrying Minergie-P® and -A® certification are surveyed and published by Minergie®. Minergie® is a registered association whose membership includes the Confederation, the cantons, trade and industry and numerous individual members.

 Long-term CO₂ effects of the Buildings Programme

 Energy reference area of Buildings meeting the Minergie standards®