Switzerland has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2025–26 term. This marks Switzerland’s fourth term on ECOSOC, focusing on sustainable development. ECOSOC promotes economic, social, and environmental development and coordinates the UN’s development goals.

The Albert Koechlin Foundation (AKS) awarded the 2024 Environment Award to mycosuisse and eoc energy ocean, each receiving 40,000 Swiss francs. Mycosuisse, based in Lucerne, uses fungi for eco-friendly projects, including soil rehabilitation. Eoc energy ocean GmbH produces biochar from woody biomass, improving soil and reducing emissions.

The Swiss Sustainable Coffee Platform (SSCP) launched on 6 June 2024 in Bern, aims to enhance sustainability in the coffee sector. This initiative, involving the Swiss coffee industry, SECO, NGOs, and academia, addresses challenges like fair income for farmers and climate change.

Accelleron partners with BEMAC, Furuno, and MAKITA to support the Japanese shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts. Turbo Systems United, partly owned by Accelleron, announced these collaborations. BEMAC offers maritime data services, Furuno specializes in ship radar systems, and MAKITA manufactures efficient marine engines.

The Swiss Federal Council has approved changes to four environmental regulations, including the Contaminated Sites Ordinance and Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance. Key updates allow on-site reuse of excavation material from major remediation projects and align refrigerant and battery regulations with EU standards.

GreenGT has partnered with 49 SUD to develop fuel cell systems for the Climate Impulse airplane. This project aims for the first non-stop round-the-world flight powered by green hydrogen in 2028. GreenGT’s expertise in electric-hydrogen technology will be crucial in overcoming the technical challenges, contributing to the advancement of sustainable aviation.

Destinus is pioneering Europe’s first commercial private hydrogen testing site in Payerne, Switzerland. The Destinus H2 Park, set to launch gas system tests in Q3 2024, will advance hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft development, potentially cutting London to Sydney flight times to just four hours.

Tetra Pak has introduced its “Approach to Nature” plan, focusing on reversing nature loss and enhancing water security. This initiative aligns with global biodiversity goals and involves managing environmental impacts across their operations. Goals include sourcing sustainable materials by 2025 and achieving zero waste-to-landfill by 2030.

H55, a Valais-based electric aviation firm, will receive an investment from the Government of Quebec to enhance its production and research in Canada. This partnership will support the development of clean energy solutions and strengthen sustainable aviation in the region. The collaboration with major clients will also continue, marking a significant step in promoting low-carbon energy systems.

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) supports the “H₂ districts” project to explore hydrogen cells in buildings. This aims to manage peak electricity demand during cold days. Empa, along with Hälg Group, Osterwalder Group, and H2 Energy AG, is testing this concept. The project will provide data on using hydrogen cells to buffer peak loads, ensuring efficient energy use in the building sector.