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In the municipality of Zermatt, energy policy is an important topic. The municipality has demonstrated its commitment to energy policy with several projects and activities. The certification as an Energy City in 2016 recognised its achievements up to that point and also served as a tool for coordinating further activities. Thanks to its commitment and dedication, the municipality of Zermatt has made further progress over the past four years and was awarded the Energy City label for the second time.
Swiss Climate supported the municipality of Zermatt with its first and second certification as an Energy City. In each case, this included a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the existing situation, as well as support with reporting, audit preparation, communication activities and the development of the energy policy activity programme.
Territorial energy and carbon footprint forms the basis
In addition to providing advice on issues related to energy and climate policy, Swiss Climate worked with Zermatt in 2018 to create a territorial energy and carbon footprint (calculation year 2016). The footprint formed the basis for the subsequent Energy City activities. Among other things, the Energy City of Zermatt has developed a comprehensive energy and climate strategy and an innovative waste concept (System Alpenluft, Watt d’Or 2012). Organic waste is recycled in the biogas plant and used to generate electricity and heat.
The share of renewable energy in the heat supply was increased to 40%, and water efficiency is also very high at 67%.
At 70%, the municipality of Zermatt has a very high degree of self-sufficiency with renewable electricity from hydropower. Even with up to 2 million overnight stays in the municipality each year, Zermatt is sustainable, car-free and in touch with nature. As an Energy City, the municipality of Zermatt is continuously carrying out pioneering energy projects that point the way forward.
‘With the help of Swiss Climate, we were able to become certified as an Energy City and define various measures to reduce the carbon emissions of the municipality of Zermatt. Swiss Climate impressed us with their professionalism, creative ideas and all-round expertise in the field of energy and CO2 management.
Swiss Climate provided the following services on this project:
The municipality of Saas-Fee has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to energy policy with numerous projects and activities. The certification as an Energy City in 2002 recognised its achievements up to that point and also served as a tool for coordinating further activities. Thanks to its great commitment and dedication, the municipality of Saas-Fee was awarded the Energy City ‘Gold’ label in 2020.
Swiss Climate has been supporting the municipality of Saas-Fee with various energy policy activities and advice since 2016. This has included helping it to achieve the internationally recognised Energy City ‘Gold’ label. The Energy City Gold label is Europe’s highest award for cities and municipalities that meet particularly high standards and make a continuous commitment to the efficient use of energy, renewable energy and climate protection. The process and the criteria are both based on those of the Energy City label. Energy Cities that have implemented at least 75% of the measures possible for them can apply for European Energy Award Gold status. The certification process is based on the one for the Energy City label, but the requirements are stricter.
Swiss Climate supported the municipality of Saas-Fee with the analysis and assessment of the existing situation, as well as with reporting, audit preparation, communication activities and the development of the energy policy activity programme.
Leading the way with successful measures
Saas-Fee has made a name for itself in Switzerland and beyond as a sustainable tourist destination. Furthermore, as a dynamic municipality, it continuously carries out innovative projects to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability. One pioneering project of the car-free tourist resort is the solar district heating network, which was created together with EnAlpin and is now being expanded. The municipality is also supplied with 100% natural energy, some of which is produced by its own hydropower plant. It can even be used to charge electric cars for free in the multi-storey car park. The world’s highest-altitude electric PostBus is used as a shuttle between the bus terminal and the mountain railways in Saas-Fee. Furthermore, in 2019, the primary school in Saas-Fee became the first school in Valais to be awarded the ‘Energy School’ label.
Swiss Climate provided the following services on this project: