Consumption and products
Despite efficiency gains, Switzerland is currently far from achieving the sustainable use of resources. As a result of the rising global consumption of resources, climate stability and ecosystems are at the limits of their resilience worldwide. Switzerland is contributing to this through its high consumption of resources per capita. Additional measures are essential so that future-proof, resource-conserving consumption and production models can be strengthened.
The Green Economy and the resource-conserving economy concepts describe an economic system with future-proof and resource-conserving consumption and production models. It respects the finite nature of limited resources and the ability to regenerate renewable resources. Economic efficiency and well-being have to be strengthened as a whole. The vision is a good life and economic management within the resilience limits of the planet.
There remains much to be done to realise this vision. Two thirds of total environmental pollution occurs in the food and agriculture, housing and construction and mobility sectors. Resource-conserving consumption and production models can only be achieved by commitment from government, including cantons and municipalities, and all sectoral policy areas, the private sector, science and the whole of society. Along with consumers, business has to play a central role. A reliable and advantageous underlying government framework also has a major part to play
Sustainable textiles
In der Schweiz sind die Moore seit 1987 geschützt, und es darf kein Torf mehr abgebaut werden. Jährlich werden aber geschätzt bis zu 524‘000 m3 Torf importiert. 2012 hat der Bundesrat das Torfausstiegskonzept verabschiedet. Darin ist vorgesehen, dass in einer ersten Phase die Branchen mit freiwilligen Massnahmen aktiv werden.
Placing of renewable or low-emission thermal and motor fuels on the market
Das Mineralölsteuergesetz sieht für biogene Treibstoffe eine Steuererleichterung vor, sofern ökologische und soziale Anforderungen erfüllt sind.
Peat exit plan
In Switzerland, moors have been protected since 1987, and peat may no longer be extracted. Nevertheless, it is estimated that Switzerland imports up to 524,000 m3 of peat every year. In the interest of also reducing the environmental damage caused abroad, the Federal Council adopted the peat exit plan in 2012. The first phase of the exit plan stipulates industry to actively take voluntary measures.
Sustainable Finance
Our production patterns and consumer habits are overstretching the natural limits of the planet. The consequences are climate change, water shortages and loss of biodiversity. The financial sector, in its role as enabler, can facilitate the necessary transition of the real economy to a resource-efficient and sustainable economy in order to ensure that current and future generations have functioning ecosystems.
Resource consumption
Natural resources like water, soil, clean air, mineral deposits and climate stability provide the basis for our quality of life. Studies show that these resources are currently vastly overused. This pressure on natural resources is likely to intensify in the future as the economic volume and global population continue to increase.