Climate change - How will your community be in 2045?
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges of our time and affects not only individual countries, but the entire global society. Rising temperatures, increasingly extreme weather events and the loss of ecosystems clearly demonstrate the urgency of taking action. In order to successfully meet these challenges, we must act together as a society.
Climate change generally refers to changes in weather conditions. The climate of our planet has always changed. However, since the industrialisation (19th century), global measurement data shows that the warming of the earth's atmosphere has increased significantly. The higher temperature accelerates climate change and increases the impact of natural disasters such as droughts, hurricanes and floods. The term climate change therefore includes natural changes in the climate system, as well as changes caused by humans.
Effects are already noticeable
According to the findings of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it has been proven that the observed global warming is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Since the beginning of industrialisation, the average global temperature has risen by 1.1°C. The years 2015 to 2023 were the warmest since measurements began. Global warming is accompanied by changes. Due to increasing temperatures sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting, permafrost is thawing and ecosystems are being disrupted.
Effects of climate change in Switzerland
Global warming is progressing twice as fast in Switzerland as on a global level. Due to its geographical location, the average temperature has risen by more than 2°C since 1864 compared to the global 1°C.
Our climate has been warming at the fastest rate since the 1980s. The consequences of this warming include more frequent heatwaves and an increase in heavy rainfall more frequently than at the beginning of the 20th century. The observed climate change can be attributed almost entirely to greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities. If emissions continue to rise, the effects will intensify.
Effects of climate change in the Alpine region
The effects of climate change are particularly noticeable in the Alpine cantons and pose challenges for alpine communities. If no action is taken, the average temperature in Valais could rise by a further 3°C by 2060 compared to the period 1981 - 2010. The rise in temperature is accompanied by long periods of drought, extreme heat waves and heavy and extreme precipitation leading to forest fires and/or flooding. In addition, the zero degree latitude mark is rising, it is less cold in winter and the number of snow days is decreasing.
Why we need to talk about it
Climate change not only leads to changing weather, but also causes higher health costs, damage in infrastructure such as roads & bridges and lower yields in economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture, and threatens the balance of the ecosystem and biodiversity.The initial situation in the more than 2,000 Swiss municipalities is very different, as they differ in terms of geographical location as well as financial and human resources.
Urban and rural municipalities will be increasingly confronted with different challenges. In the Alpine communities, rising temperatures will also lead to glacier melt, landslides and debris flows. In cities, heat stress (day and night) will increase and heavy rainfall will lead to overloading of the sewage system and flooding, also due to the sealing of surfaces.
It is therefore essential that Swiss cities and municipalities work proactively on solutions to successfully meet the challenges of climate change and ensure a future worth living for all residents.
Climate change adaptation
Climate change adaptation is crucial to minimising the negative effects of climate change. This includes measures such as developing resilient infrastructure, promoting climate-resilient agricultural techniques, and switching to renewable energies. It is important to also consider the social and economic impacts of climate change and find solutions to protect the community.
Climate change adaptation is a crucial part of a sustainable future.
What we can do
To create a worthwhile future for us and our future generations, we need to work together at local, national and global level. As a first step, it is important to become aware of the negative effects of climate change to identify the challenges and strengthen the community's resilience to the effects of climate change.
A thought experiment
Imagine yourself in the year 2045: the temperature in summer is 40°C (during the day) and 30°C at night. It has not rained for several weeks, the soil has dried out and there is a ban on public fires. Barbecues are no longer allowed outdoors, and pools may no longer be filled with water. Public swimming pools are closed due to a lack of water and every resident is only allowed to consume a minimum quota of water every day. Suddenly the weather changes and extreme rainfall sets in.
Municipality A: Back in the 2020s, a municipality began promoting energy-efficient buildings, switching to renewable energy, and focusing on slow traffic by designing cycle paths and pedestrian zones. This way, every household has electricity at all times and the buildings remain at a comfortable temperature in both winter and summer. Investments have been made in green spaces such as parks with children's playgrounds, where residents can sit under a tree planted in 2025 to provide shade and improve air quality. It is now starting to rain and they quickly ride home on their e-bikes. The green roof absorbs the water like a sponge and cools their home even more. The water is stored in a rain cistern so that they can water their flowering garden and flush the toilet during dry spells. As water management was optimised in the 2030s, rainwater is now collected and used in the municipal area so that the trees and bushes are supplied with water even during periods without rain. The heavy rain is absorbed by the green spaces like a sponge. You stand by the window, watch the rain and enjoy the fresh coolness.
Municipality B: Due to disagreement in the municipal council, no conscious decisions have been made in recent decades. Nothing has changed since the 2020s. Motorised fossil-fuelled vehicles are on the roads. Trees have been felled because they could not withstand the dry periods. At home, it's almost 30°C in your living room and you prefer this temperature to being outside as the concrete surfaces have heated up to 50°C. Suddenly it starts to rain and you frantically take action and place all movable items higher up or carry them to the second floor, as the water is already running in torrents down the street outside the house. You are afraid that your entire home will be flooded for the second time this year.
Now ask yourself: What future do I want for myself and my loved ones?
We can support you
Have you thought about the effects of climate change in your city and/or municipality and what challenges your community will face in the coming years?
The effects of rising global temperatures are different in mountain communities, rural communities and cities, but all municipalities are affected in the areas of water management, energy production, agriculture, biodiversity, forestry, tourism, coping with natural events, as well as planning, construction and maintenance.
Our experts in the fields of energy and climate management will work with you to develop an individualised solution for your municipality. After all, local authorities have an important role to play in implementing local climate protection and a climate strategy is the right instrument for taking structured measures locally.
The climate strategy is a municipal instrument and enables the systematic and holistic planning of municipal climate protection measures in order to shape the village or town as a liveable environment for today and the future.
