Climate-neutral ETH Zurich: A joint endeavour of great significance
ETH Zurich wants to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In order to reach this ambitious goal, an action plan for Net Zero is now being developed in a broad process.
Sustainability and responsibility are among ETH's strategic fields of action. In everyday life, this priority means that the University actively addresses and exemplifies the principles of sustainable development in its core areas of research, teaching, campus, and dialogue with society.
This also applies to the goal of climate neutrality that ETH Zurich has set for itself in its Strategy and Development Plan 2021-2024. It wants to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. For ETH President Jo?l Mesot it is clear: "Striving for a climate-neutral ETH Zurich is a must".
What does Net Zero by 2030 mean for ETH Zurich?
ETH Zurich has been systematically recording its environmental and energy data for over 20 years. This enables the identification of key levers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with respect to the goal of climate neutrality as well as the determination of priorities for the reduction pathway. Have a look at the White Paper to find out where ETH Zurich stands today regarding its greenhouse gas emissions and why all university members are invited to join forces on the path to Net Zero by 2030.
Reduction, efficiency increase and innovation
ETH Zurich wants to achieve the Net Zero goal through its own efforts by expanding its existing reduction measures and advancing efficiency improvements. Especially in the area of energy consumption and sustainable infrastructure development, the University can build on many years of experience. At the same time, ETH Zurich wants to bundle its scientific expertise and innovative strength, put them into practice on its campus, and further promote the technological development of negative emissions technologies such as CO2 storage. The combination of reduction, replacement, efficiency gains, and negative emissions technologies will allow the University to phase out of compensating emissions after 2030.
Culture change at all levels
The transformation process is ambitious and will entail a cultural change at all levels of the University. The design and implementation of the concrete measures will take place in close cooperation between all stakeholders of the University - from the Executive Board and the departments and on to the competence centres, the Administrative Units, the student representatives, and the university networks. All ETH members are therefore invited to help determine and support the path and pace of the joint responsibility of the "climate-neutral ETH".
Emissions in everyday (working) life
Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are hiding almost everywhere. What is a good room temperature? How do we use laboratory and ICT equipment? What do we eat for lunch? What mobility solutions do we choose for our commutes and business trips?
These questions are answered differently depending on the situation, the season, and the individual. For ETH as an organisation, one thing is clear: measurable overall reductions can be achieved through countless daily decisions made by ETH Community members. An action plan for Net Zero is currently being developed. This is a flexible planning instrument with which ETH Zurich can position itself and contribute to the changing framework conditions. To ensure that the action plan has broad support, it is being developed and implemented in a participatory manner.
Contribute your ideas and help shape the future!
As previously communicated (cf. Internal News, 5.1.2022), the ETH Sustainability team in the Office of the President will be responsible for coordinating and reporting on the efforts towards Net Zero.
The ETH Sustainability team will thus also be the first point of contact for feedback and ideas from the ETH Community. Anyone who would like to get involved on the path to Net Zero can do so in various ways:
- MIRO-Board: From now until the end of November, an online MIRO board invites you to add your suggestions to the core areas on the pathway to Net Zero. Please use the virtual "post-its" to place your ideas and feel free to leave your contact information as well. To the external page MIRO board
- Open Office ETH Sustainability: Come by and speak with us about ETH Net Zero - coffee, tea or apéro drink inclusive. We are there for you in these slots:
- Thursday, 03.11.2022, 8-10h: ETH Sustainability Office, Weinbergstrasse 41, 8092 Zürich
- Tuesday, 15.11.2022, 16-18h: ETH Sustainability Office, Weinbergstrasse 41, 8092 Zürich
- Thursday, 01.12.2022, 8-10h: ETH Sustainability Office, Weinbergstrasse 41, 8092 Zürich
- Tuesday, 13.12.2022, 8-10h: ETH Sustainability Office, Weinbergstrasse 41, 8092 Zürich
- Email: Send an email to the ETH Sustainability team at
Everyone is called upon to ensure that ETH Zurich continues to play a pioneering role on the path to becoming a climate-friendly university. Internal news as well as the Net-Zero webpage /net-zero will provide regular updates on activities and developments.