YOUR HANDPRINT AGAINST OUR FOOTPRINT
We are aware of our large CO₂ footprint, the environmental and climate crisis and global inequalities. Yet this knowledge does not necessarily lead to more sustainable behaviour. Many of us feel that changing our behaviour makes little difference – because the many negative messages often paralyse more than they motivate.
This is where the CO₂ handprint comes into play. It shows what we are already achieving and what we can be proud of. Our big and small CO₂ stories are examples of how actions become handprints that inspire those around us and spark change. They are meant to encourage and motivate us to take action ourselves.
The dice have not yet been cast—move them!
Timothy Eglington, biogeoscientist
Emeritus Professor, D-EAPS, ETH Zurich
‘Ironically, I began my career studying the formation of oil by exploring the processes that govern Earth’s carbon cycle. This quickly led me to focus on the complex interactions of carbon in the environment, and I dedicated my research to understanding how carbon moves through ecosystems and impacts our climate.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding many students to understand the fragility of our planet’s environment and the vital role they can play in preserving it. As I near the end of my scientific career, I’m proud to share my work beyond academia and spark meaningful conversations about the future of our planet.
‘KEEP IT CO2OL’ offers visitors the opportunity to engage with the results of my research, particularly the role of CO₂ in climate change. To address this and develop sustainable solutions, we must first understand the intricacies and full extent of what’s at stake. I hope this exhibition will inspire us all to take action.’
Sample collection in Iceland. Photo: T. Eglinton / ETH Zurich
KlimaSeniorinnen in front of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Photo: Miriam Künzli
Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti, activist
Co-President of KlimaSeniorinnen Switzerland
‘Today I have to say: the co-presidency of the KlimaSeniorinnen (Senior Women for Climate Protection) practically fell into my lap! It has become a matter close to my heart. Here, I can bring in my activist side and encourage and inspire many people – and, with our lawsuit against the Federal Council, actually make a difference.
Ever since I realised how urgent it is for all of us to stop the climate crisis, I’ve been giving speeches and lectures (something I never would have dared to do before), and I take part in every climate protest. I want to take responsibility and stand up for our grandchildren’s generation and for people in the Global South.
In 2024, we achieved a tremendous success with our lawsuit before the European Court of Human Rights: climate protection was recognised as a human right. Since Switzerland has so far refused to implement this ruling, we are continuing the fight – trusting that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will push our politicians to take action.’
Karin Rey & Maja Haus
Authors of the hiking guide CLOSEBY, Rotpunktverlag
‘Travel – a word that sparks something in all of us. Try breaking it down: What does travel mean to you? What elements is it made up of? What are your deepest yearnings? What do you look forward to before a trip?
Questions like these occupied us for years. It annoyed us that the powerful travel industry speaks directly to our desires through posters and commercials, making us believe that real travel only happens when you go really far away. We believe that a true journey, a unique adventure filled with new impressions and breathtaking views, can be found very close by. In our hiking book closeby, we present 15 hikes to places in Switzerland that look as if they were far, far away.
We show how much CO₂ emissions you save when, for example, you choose not to fly to Horseshoe Bend in the USA but instead visit the Ruinaulta gorge in the Grisons.’
Ruinaulta in the Grisons. Photo: Adobe Stock
Impact Day at Gymnasium Friedberg, St. Gallen. Photo: myblueplanet
Nadine Stähli, project manager
Climate School programme, myblueplanet
‘After completing my Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences at ETH Zurich, I joined the Climate School as a project manager in the summer of 2021. In this role, I’m responsible for the operational implementation of the programme at our partner schools.
Together with the schools, I organise school-wide action days and support the long-term integration of sustainability into school structures. A particular highlight of our programme is the Solar Energy Impact Day, where we install a solar power system on the school roof together with the students. This makes the topic of renewable energy tangible and allows the school to actively contribute to reducing its CO₂ footprint.
My goal is to provide hands-on, experience-based environmental education that opens up spaces for action and empowers young people to make conscious decisions and take responsibility for a sustainable future.’
Fabian Zemp, sustainability officer
Project coordinator for sustainability, Lucerne Festival
‘Since 2022, we have been calculating our annual CO₂e footprint and using the results to evaluate and adjust our measures.
We set concrete goals to take direct responsibility as an internationally oriented festival – and to indirectly try to inspire other institutions and (guest) orchestras. With success: from 2022 to 2024, our total footprint decreased by 15%, thanks in part to inviting more orchestras and soloists who are already on European tours and don’t need to travel long distances specifically to perform here.
At the same time, we run awareness campaigns with regional environmental and nature conservation partners such as BirdLife Lucerne or Pro Natura Lucerne – for example, by giving them a stage for pop-up concerts.
Our goal is to put nature conservation more firmly on the agenda of the cultural sector through concrete action and open communication – and to spark further developments.’
Pop-up concert ‘Play for Birds’ in collaboration with BirdLife Lucerne. Photo: Priska Ketterer / Lucerne Festival
Using the CO₂ calculator in the professional kitchen. Photo: Eaternity
Manuel Klarmann, entrepreneur
Founder and CEO, Eaternity
‘My story shows: every handprint counts! Together with Judith Ellens, I founded Eaternity to make the climate impact of our food visible.
Our software helps restaurants calculate the CO₂ footprint of their dishes and create climate-friendly menus. After all, food accounts for around one-third of global emissions. By choosing what we eat, we have the power to reduce these emissions by up to 50%. Our team has already analysed millions of recipes and supported over 1 000 restaurants in making the switch. With every meal that’s better for the climate, we’re making a difference – together.
I envision a world where listing CO₂ values is as much a matter of course as listing prices – so that sustainable consumption becomes the new normal.’
Markus Schwegler, farmer
Manager of NaturGut Katzhof
‘NaturGut Katzhof stands for nature-friendly agriculture. We support an intact ecosystem – it is the foundation for a resilient and sustainable food production system.
This requires two crucial elements: healthy soil and a functioning water cycle – and humus is the key. It is a significant carbon sink, stores large amounts of water and allows for abundant harvests. To strengthen the natural water cycle, we use a holistic water management system. Rainwater is collected in irrigation ditches along contour lines, preventing it from running off unused. In addition, we operate an agroforestry system – that is, farming combined with trees and shrubs on the same land. This supports both the water cycle and the local microclimate while producing a wide variety of foods.
Creative agriculture for a healthy ecosystem and a healthy climate!’
At Katzhof, irrigation ditches are laid out along contour lines to collect rainfall (Keyline Design). Photo: Thomas Alföldi / FiBL
Expedition to Net Zero. Photo: Gianfranco Guidati / ETH Zurich
Claudia Zingerli, geographer
Head of ETH Sustainability, ETH Net Zero
‘To be a pioneer in sustainability and decarbonisation, you need to reveal uncomfortable truths and demonstrate measurable progress. With the ‘ETH Net Zero’ programme 2024–2030, we are calculating our footprint with increasing accuracy, reporting transparently and implementing effective measures.
To calculate ETH’s greenhouse gas balance, we use scientifically derived emission factors. This allows us to reliably convert values such as kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed, cubic metres of concrete used, kilograms of appetiser snacks eaten, or kilometres travelled on business trips into CO₂ equivalents.
This knowledge helps us make informed decisions about projects and investments that take into account emissions and side effects. Ultimately, it’s about the priorities we set today – both as individuals and as a society – for a sustainable tomorrow.’
Dieter Marmet, economist
Founder of Sustainable Harvest Switzerland
‘In 1997, I met Florence (Flo) Reed in Panama. At that time, she was responsible for local environmental projects in Latin America that showed impoverished small farming families alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture, so they wouldn’t have to clear more new land or relocate. Flo complained about the lack of funding from the organisation she worked for.
Back in Switzerland, I started raising money. What began as my small donation for two employee motorbikes became the seed capital for Flo’s own NGO, Sustainable Harvest International (SHI), which I continue to support through a Swiss foundation. The organisation has since worked with over 4 000 small farming families, improved living conditions in poor villages, reforested their land with more than 5 million trees, restored its fertility and prevented many slash-and-burn clearings. With 40 employees and hundreds of local volunteers, SHI has established itself as a network for regenerative agriculture in Central America.
It’s amazing how a small gesture at the right time can create such a big impact!’
Flo Reed in Central America. Photo: Sustainable Harvest International
Young and old repairing together. Photo: R. Huber / Reparaturia
Kurt, Rolf, Toni, Gertraud, and Martin
Founding Team of Reparaturia Oerlikon
‘The Repair Café ‘Reparaturia’ was founded in 2021 as a non-profit, politically independent association and is a member of Repair Cafés Switzerland. The five of us volunteer repair experts dedicate every Wednesday afternoon to the open workshop, funded by donations to our little piggy bank.
Everyone is welcome to come and repair broken everyday appliances like vacuum cleaners or food processors with expert help. The goal is to conserve resources, share repair knowledge and send a message against the throwaway society. Meanwhile, ‘Reparaturia’ has become a popular meeting place in Oerlikon, also for families with children. People stop by, repair their favourite items with us and stay for a friendly chat. With around 350 repairs per year and a success rate of about 80%, we actively contribute to the circular economy.
For us, it’s wonderful that with our idea, we have created a place where young and old can tackle the issue of sustainability together with our two hands.’
Noah Rechsteiner, chef and hotelier-restaurateur
Owner and host, ANOAH restaurant
‘Early on, I realised that culinary enjoyment and climate protection go hand in hand. At the age of 19, I founded ANOAH, a vegan fine dining restaurant that stands for creative, plant-based cuisine and proves that it can be not only sustainable, but also exciting and sensual.
We serve a fixed menu that changes every two months. This way, we keep our ingredients seasonal, work with local producers – such as a mushroom farm in the city of Zurich – and even harvest fresh vegetables from our own allotment garden. We pay attention to sustainability even when it comes to details such as menus printed on recycled paper. Many dishes are inspired by my childhood, like the creation ‘Purple Rain’: a play of flavours, memories and bold colours – our recipe for happy guests.
I see myself not just as a host, but as someone who inspires change and gets people excited about going new ways and bringing more levity into fine dining.’
Preparation of the signature dish ‘Purple Rain.’ Photo: C. Alexander / ANOAH
Executive floor in the greenhouse. Photo: AdvantiKA
Karime Abib, activist
Founder of AdvantiKA, Business Fit IDG Hub Zurich
‘My associates and I help companies grow successfully while taking responsibility for society and the environment. To do this, we use the Inner Development Goals (IDG) – a method that understands leadership as personal development and promoting the common good.
My favourite project took me to Instituto Terra Luminous in Brazil: by improving projects and data systems, we mobilised over R$1.5 million (about CHF 220 000) and secured 272 hectares of protected area with vital water sources for São Paulo – a major contribution to climate resilience in the region. In consulting for a European manufacturer of organic cosmetics, we focused on environmental education and support for smallholder farmers, as the organic recertification required the suppliers to regenerate their soils in order to improve soil quality and store more carbon.
Such success stories show: with the IDG as a compass, managers can initiate change in their companies – and effectively implement projects that support the environment.’
Andreas Schneider, environmental engineer
Sustainability consultant, myclimate foundation
‘Since the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, I knew I wanted to do more than just reduce my own ecological footprint. As an environmental engineer, I have built extensive knowledge in solving environmental problems and focused on environmental impact assessments for construction projects.
Since 2018, I have worked as a consultant at the myclimate foundation. I support companies in understanding their CO₂ emissions, identifying savings opportunities and implementing economically viable and sustainable solutions. Together, we develop clear strategies and concrete ‘reduction pathways’ to achieve climate targets – and to move step by step toward net zero.
It is fulfilling to see how, through consulting and practical climate protection measures, I have already been able to support several hundred companies on their journey to greater climate protection.’
Customer consultation with LifeCycle analysis. Photo: myclimate Foundation
Film screening at the festival. Photo: Films for Future
Edwin Moser, father
Founder of Films for Future
‘Every little action counts – but we all know: the climate crisis requires us to do more. It requires courage. Big ideas. Real action.
In 2012, I sat down with a few activists with a vision: to touch people with films, raise awareness and get things moving. That’s how ‘Films for Future’ was born. In 13 years, we have reached over 10 000 people – and we are dreaming even bigger. In four years, we aim to have reached 20 000. At least. Our principle is simple: see, understand, act. A film can change perspectives, a conversation can spark inspiration, an idea can set everything in motion – if we act together. Experts from all fields show us what is possible.
The crisis is huge, but so are our possibilities. Trust that your actions matter. Think big – act courageously – join in.’
Anna Bruns, naval architect
Capilano Maritime Design Ltd, Vancouver, Canada
‘As a naval architect, my focus is on saving energy – and thereby fuel – in ship operations.
One particularly exciting project I’m currently working on is the H2Ocean – a fully CO₂-neutral passenger ship powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Since there are currently no technical regulations for fuel cells on ships, we had to define the safety requirements ourselves based on risk analyses – and we’ve already received official approval for them. At the moment, a major local company is working on processing hydrogen (H₂), which is currently being wasted, for transportation purposes. As soon as a sufficient hydrogen supply is available, our H2Ocean can become a reality and transport passengers from A to B in an environmentally friendly way.
I’m passionate about continuously developing and implementing innovative ideas to make our transport solutions more sustainable.’
H₂Ocean design team. Photo: M. Wakefield / North Shore News