As a contribution to the implementation of the Paris Agreement to protect the climate, an expert group has written several discussion papers on behalf of the German Environment Agency. They deal with key issues for discussion and drafting of international rules for Article 6. This article enables the use of international market mechanisms to fulfil the countries’ contribution to climate protection.

In Switzerland, about 4300 stationary engines and gas turbines are in use. The “Swiss emissions inventory of stationary engines and gas turbines for the year 2014” provides detailed information on energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Greenhouse gas emission reduction projects of different countries can only be assessed, compared and plausibly certified when applying international valuation standards. This is a precondition for well-functioning crediting mechanisms, by which effective projects are awarded with tradable certificates. This is one of the conclusions reached by INFRAS, in cooperation with other climate experts, in a report commissioned by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Shopping malls, office buildings, residential buildings and public buildings in India shall become more energy efficient. An INFRAS valuation method helps to estimate and evaluate how effective energy efficiency measures in buildings are. (Photo: Sapsiwai, Fotolia)

New tram routes in the city of Basle, direct accessibility to the A18 motorway at Aesch and an upgrading to a mobility hub of the border and customs point Lörrach-Riehen: These are important measures of the new agglomeration programme of the Basle region. The programme has been developed in joint collaboration by many actors from Germany, France and Switzerland. INFRAS has accompanied the process closely and has contributed to establishing the programme report.  

Extreme poverty and hunger shall be eradicated by 2030. These are two of the in total 17 goals, which have been set by almost 200 UN Member States in the light of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". The Statistical Office of the European Union has determined a set of indicators for each one of the goals in order to monitor and measure the ongoing progress. Furthermore, a regular overview of the results shall henceforth be published.

This is how the transportation of goods and city logistics may work in the future: underground, fully automated and funded by the private sector. How strongly can traffic be reduced by CST? How can the logistics industry and Switzerland as a logistics hub gain from CST? How can Switzerland's economy as a whole benefit from CST? And how does the CST concept meet the requirements of spatial planning? A study carried out by INFRAS on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) provides answers.

Climate change is also a fact in Switzerland. Alpine regions such as the «Grimsel» area are particularly vulnerable. Increasing intensity of natural disasters are threatening local infrastructure as well as settlement. That's why the cantonal civil engineering office of Berne has initiated the project adaptation strategy for the Grimsel region.

An energy-saving target agreement with the Swiss Federal Government, a share of more than 5% electricity costs per gross value added, and a refund amount of at least CHF 20'000 per year: Under these conditions, large commercial or industrial end users are entitled to a refund of their national network supplement for the promotion of renewable energies.