NET-ZERO ZURICH
Aerial view of the city of Zurich
Photo: Adobe Stock
The city of Zurich aims to reduce direct emissions within its city limits as much as possible by 2040 and, where unavoidable, offset them with negative emissions (net zero). The city plans to implement the measures for this by 2035 (exception: heat supply by 2040). At the same time, indirect emissions caused by the activities of Zurich residents but not generated within the city are also to be reduced. The population approved the city’s 2022 climate protection targets by 75%.
| status 2022 | target for 2040 | |
| direct emissions: | 2.4 t CO₂e / EWJ* → | net zero |
| indirect emissions: | 12.6 t CO₂e / EWJ → | 6.7 t CO₂e / EWJ |
In 2022, indirect emissions were approx. 5 times higher than direct emissions.
*t CO₂e / capita: tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per inhabitant per year
WHAT ARE THE KEY MEASURES WE WILL TAKE TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO IN THE CITY OF ZURICH BY 2040?
- Buildings: Emissions will be reduced by 95% through heating replacement, expansion of district heating, reduction of heating requirements and use of renewable electricity.
- Transport: Less private transport, more public transport, more cycling and walking, and the use of efficient vehicles powered by renewable energy (e.g., electric cars) in the remaining transport will reduce emissions by 73%.
- Waste disposal: the capture and permanent storage of emissions at the Werdhölzli sewage sludge treatment and biogas processing plant and the Hagenholz waste incineration plant will reduce emissions by 100%. Some of the waste consists of biogenic materials (e.g., plant residues) that have absorbed CO₂ from the air during growth. If the CO₂ from the utilisation of biogenic material does not return to the atmosphere, negative emissions are created. These can offset unavoidable direct emissions from other areas.
NECESSARY SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MEASURES TO REDUCE INDIRECT EMISSIONS
- Recycling centres (e.g., ‘Juch-Areal’) promote the reuse of materials and thus the circular economy.
- A higher percentage of the population participates in climate-friendly mobility (e.g., regarding international air travel).
- Environmentally friendly nutrition is more widely accepted (e.g., 40% less meat consumption) and food waste is minimised.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY
- More green spaces, less traffic and noise pollution, fewer heat islands and cleaner air improve the well-being of city dwellers.
- The participation of Zurich residents in urban climate protection projects promotes social interaction and strengthens the sense of community.
- A climate-friendly city is attractive to residents and businesses that value sustainability.
HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?
- Get involved in climate-friendly politics and vote for climate-friendly proposals at local level.
- Support the city of Zurich – especially in reducing indirect emissions – by making your lifestyle more environmentally friendly: consume less and more sustainably, use green electricity, heat with renewable energy and use public transport or a bicycle.
DIRECT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OF THE CITY OF ZURICH
Graphic: Net Zero Interim Report 2024,
Umwelt- und Gesundheitsschutz Zürich (UGZ)
NET ZERO WALK
The city of Zurich aims to become climate neutral by 2040. This guided walk through the city centre uses concrete examples to show how this goal is to be achieved and how we can all contribute.
Photo: City of Zurich
COOLCITY
To achieve net zero, the city of Zurich will connect around 60% of its area to renewable district heating by 2040. This will replace the gas pipeline network and increase security of supply (less dependence on other countries).
Photo: Daniel Hager (City of Zurich)
CLIMATE À LA CARTE
With the joint campaign ‘Klima à la carte’, Zurich restaurants, Food Zurich and the City of Zurich are putting climate protection on the menu to show how enjoyable sustainable food can be.
Photo: City of Zurich
CLIMATE FORUM
Participating organisations can exchange ideas on challenges and solutions in the field of climate protection as part of the dialogue and participation programme run by the City of Zurich and Impact Hub Zurich.
Photo: City of Zurich
‘QUARTIERBLÖCKE’ (NEIGHBOURHOOD BLOCKS)
Neighbourhood blocks are designed to relieve neighbourhood streets of motorised through traffic and create more space for neighbourhood life and green spaces. This will unseal more areas, reduce heat in the city and promote slow traffic.
Photo: City of Zurich
Interactive exhibit
