Switzerland’s Federal Council has initiated a public consultation for the CO2 Ordinance until October 17, 2024. The ordinance outlines strategies to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030, focusing on industry, transportation, aviation, and building sectors. This key step supports Switzerland’s goal towards net-zero emissions, aligning with the Climate and Innovation Act.

Switzerland is set to align its sustainability reporting standards with the EU, expanding mandatory disclosures for companies. The new rules will increase the number of firms required to report from 300 to 3,500, focusing on environmental impact, human rights, and corruption. This move aims for more transparent business practices and will include external verification of reports.

On 19 June 2024, the Federal Council reviewed new self-regulatory rules by Swiss financial organizations to combat greenwashing. These rules align with the Council’s 2022 stance on preventing greenwashing. Effective until 2027, they focus on defining sustainable investment objectives, accountability, and independent audits.

Tide Ocean (#tide) in Lengnau, Bern, teams up with Swiss tour operator Hotelplan to fight ocean plastic pollution. Hotelplan supports #tide’s efforts in Thailand, focusing on the Road to 1 Billion Bottles project. This initiative collects and recycles ocean-bound plastic for reuse in sustainable products.

Synhelion has completed its first industrial-scale demonstration plant, DAWN, in Jülich, Germany, where it will produce carbon-neutral aviation fuel using concentrated solar energy starting June 2024. Founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Synhelion has successfully installed all heliostat field mirrors at the DAWN plant.

Freitag, a Zurich-based bag manufacturer, has launched two new upcycled bags made from discarded airbags and truck tension belts. The F700 Arrow and F708 Firebird bags come in small and extra-large sizes, expanding into different shapes when filled.

Carbon Standards International AG has introduced the Global Tree C-Sink to certify tree-based carbon sinks. This standard measures CO2 absorbed by trees, ensuring sustainable forestry and preventing deforestation. TREEO Cooling, certified since November 2023, won the Gold German Innovation Award 2024 for this achievement.

RepRisk has introduced Due Diligence Scores, assessing ESG risks like biodiversity and human rights on a 0-100 scale. These scores offer transparent, ready-to-use metrics for banks, investors, and businesses. They cover ESG pillars, frameworks, and regulations, enabling targeted risk assessment. This helps companies manage risks more effectively, focusing on areas that matter most.

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.