Energy and Climate Report 2021
In 2021, Exemplary Energy and Climate moved into the next phase (2021–2030). Again, the aim is to make progress with a combination of joint measures and individual goals. As in the previous year, the figures have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be seen in the area of business traffic, for example, which was much lower than in 2019.
Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions
The actors’ final energy consumption was around 6500 GWh in 2021, and they emitted 540,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (direct energy-related emissions). This corresponds to 3 % of Switzerland’s total energy consumption and its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to this report on energy and climate, most of the actors also publish their own, more detailed greenhouse gas reports. Some actors offset their emissions.
Switching to renewable energy
The actors are aiming to switch completely to electricity from renewable energy sources by 2026. They also want to increase the share of renewable fuels by an average of 50 % to 2030. Measures taken by the actors to achieve these goals include replacing fossil heating systems and electrifying their vehicle fleets. The latter will see more and more fossil fuel being replaced by electricity from renewable sources. This electricity is not shown here as renewable fuel but, rather, together with the other electricity from renewable energy.
Energy consumption
Further increasing energy efficiency
The most environmentally friendly energy is unused energy. That is the motto of Exemplary Energy and Climate in its efforts to continuously improve energy efficiency. Each actor has set itself a target for increasing energy efficiency by 2030. The progress in 2021 is shown on the individual pages.
Producing green electricity
The actors produced a total of 766 GWh of green electricity in 2021 (730 GWh hydropower, 36 GWh photovoltaic). For example, a 1500 m2 PV system commissioned by the PSI at the end of 2020 contributed to this. Producing around 300 MWh, it doubles the amount of solar electricity previously generated by the research institute.
Photovoltaic production
In addition, SIG produces around 730 GWh of electricity from “naturemade star” certified hydropower or from hydropower of equivalent quality (while an expansion of existing facilities is not planned, improvements in terms of efficiency and ecology are).
Climate-friendly travel
Several joint measures are aimed at making mobility more climate-friendly. One way that the actors are measuring the progress is by means of key figures for business traffic. These partially overlap with the data shown above (fuel used by own vehicules).
Business traffic
The energy status of the individual actors
The PDF provides details of the individual measures, energy consumption and direct greenhouse gas emissions of the 15 actors.
The goals of the initiative, the values for the base year, and the joint measures
can be seen in the brochure for the second phase of the initiative.