After unprecedented growth in environmental, social, and governance (ESG)

The UN High Seas Protection Agreement has reached the required number of 60 ratifications.

Almost 2 million tonnes of scrap metal are produced in Switzerland every year.

After two years of discussion, negotiations on the global plastics agreement ended without agreement in Geneva.

Around 10% of the Swiss population live near a petrochemical plant involved in plastic production.

Empa is one of the winners of the «Building Award 2025».

The Federal Council wants to postpone the implementation of the Ordinance on Climate Reporting by Companies.

The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will take place in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025.

The national campaign, The Big Plastic Count, has published its results.

Green bonds are a growth market, with good performance over the last decade. 

Pension funds are not on a 1.5°C course with net zero by 2040, criticizes the Swiss Climate Alliance.

At the beginning of April 2025, the Federal Council put the revised CO2 Ordinance into force, partly with retroactive effect to 1 January 2025

The ozone layer is recovering – a success that began 40 years ago with the Vienna Convention.

The 1.5-degree target of the Paris climate agreement was exceeded for the first time in 2024.

Growing demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and consumer electronics is putting sustainable solutions for battery recycling at the center.

Donald Trump is back in power and immediately cut off his predecessor’s environmental initiatives.

The majority of Swiss pension funds’ real estate investments are located in Switzerland.

The Federal Council has approved the signing of the international agreement on the protection of the high seas.

As year-end sales like Black Friday and Christmas fill wardrobes, many old textiles end up in the trash.

Institutional investors, pension funds, and banks exclude companies for human rights, health, and sustainability violations.

The 29th Conference on Climate Change (COP29) concluded in Baku on 24 November 2024.

Switzerland drops 12 places to 33rd place in the current Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).

The probability of catastrophic natural disasters is increasing.

Recent calculations by Greenpeace Switzerland on the remaining CO2 budget confirm that Switzerland’s climate strategy is not compatible with the 1.5°C limit.

Executives of Swiss companies are concerned about climate change.

Tens of thousands of helpers took part in the 12th national IGSU Clean-Up Day.

A team of researchers has analyzed the state of adaptation to climate change in 199 coastal cities in 54 countries.

Consumers' willingness to pay more for sustainable packaging has decreased since 2021, according to a study.

The richest 10% of the population produce almost four times more CO2 equivalents than the poorest 10%, as they consume more on average than poorer people.

CO2 emissions from fuels such as heating oil and gas fell significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Greenpeace deplores the ineffective environmental commitment of asset managers at the largest banks and insurance companies.

Good news in the environmental field is rare, but it does exist.

Ticino instead of Tuscany, Graubünden instead of the Balearic Islands - many people want to fly less and vacation in Switzerland instead.

Summer is approaching and travel bookings are booming. The majority of young and urban people will be going on vacation in 2024 - despite the climate crisis.

In today's corporate world, sustainability has become an important issue for many organizations.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Switzerland is in breach of human rights because it is not doing what is necessary to combat global warming.

Two thirds of people in Switzerland believe that companies are primarily responsible for making the country more sustainable.

Banks and insurance companies involved in asset management are condoning environmentally and climate-damaging activities by companies in which they have a stake, criticizes Greenpeace.

SECO has investigated this on the basis of studies. This involves price signals for efficient energy use, the greenhouse gas emissions contained in trade and the distribution of productivity increases between wage and leisure gains.

SIX is offering companies a new range of climate data. The data is intended to support companies in reporting and monitoring climate factors and in climate-related investment and risk decisions.

A new study shows that decarbonizing the world's 1'000 largest emitters would bring about a third of the emissions reduction needed to achieve the 1.5-degree target.

UBS believes that the financial sector can help to scale up the use of existing technologies quickly and comprehensively to stem the loss of biodiversity by 2030.

The planned EU directive on due diligence obligations could have a direct impact on several hundred companies in Switzerland.

The 28th UN Climate Change Conference has come to an end, but the text adopted is not the historic agreement the world needs, say critics.

Switzerland ranks 21st in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024, the climate protection country comparison.

The next World Climate Conference began at the end of November 2023. It is a stress test for the Paris Climate Agreement.

Switzerland must set itself ambitious goals at COP 28 in Dubai: Phasing out the use of fossil fuels before 2040 and increasing climate financing.

Today, hydrogen is mainly used as a raw material in industrial and chemical processes.

The Publica pension fund recently began using a democracy index to evaluate its government bonds.

Used lithium-ion batteries are to be recycled in a way that conserves resources.

The FDF wants to implement the Federal Council's views on avoiding greenwashing in a proposal.

Many zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens are making an important contribution to the fight against  global species extinction.

In order to ensure that your requests are processed on time in the current year, we recommend that you observe the following deadlines. Please note, that processing in 2023 cannot be guaranteed for requests submitted after these deadlines.. ...

Most people see climate change as a major challenge. Technology should become part of the solution.

In October 2023, the first Fairtrade Global Awards ceremony took place in Kenya.

To protect their portfolio from climate risks and to favor a more climate-friendly development, many investors take measures.

In the future, Swiss real estate funds will report their environmentally relevant key figures on the basis of uniform and broadly supported data standards.

The oceans are under threat. The average temperature of the oceans at the beginning of September 2023 was 21 degrees Celsius.

The share of sustainable investments has more than tripled since 2018.

The summer vacations are over, the topic of sustainable travel remains.

To achieve the ambitious goal of net zero emissions, SMEs are crucial.

The World Peace Index shows that the number of deaths in conflicts has reached its highest level this century.

The number of ‘green’ bonds traded on the Swiss stock exchange is rising.

Since 2015, Switzerland has been working with all UN member states to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Greenpeace has investigated the price differences between train and airline tickets in 27 European countries.

Unsubstantiated claims regarding the climate friendliness of certain products and whitewashing mislead consumers.

The Ethos Foundation has published a new methodology thanks to which the global warming caused by listed companies can be assessed.

The summer vacations are here, and many Swiss people are once again traveling by air.

SIF and four influential associations representing Swiss financial institutions are launching the «Net-Zero Data Public Utility».

The EU and Switzerland want to adjust the CO2 emissions trading system to provide stronger incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On June 18, 2023, the electorate have voted on the indirect counterproposal to the Glacier Initiative.

The so-called output economy is no longer compatible with today's challenges, experts say.

The Climate Protection Act has been approved by a clear majority of the electorate.

The 'Swiss National Human Rights Institution' (NHRI) was founded in Bern.

Switzerland has a high level of biodiversity. But it is endangered: 17% of all species are threatened with extinction or under severe pressure.

The path to climate neutrality is difficult. The Corona pandemic and Ukraine war, as well as high inflation, have made this road even rockier.

Pension funds treat sustainability with distance, says Greenpeace Switzerland.

Switzerland imports around three quarters of its energy from abroad.

Between 1990 and 2020, forest areas larger than the area of the EU were deforested.

Loopholes in the Montreal Protocol cause emissions of five ozone-depleting chemicals to increase rapidly between 2010 and 2020.

Switzerland presented two resolutions at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The legal provisions for compliance with environmental and human rights should be tightened for Swiss companies.

It is still possible to limit global warming to 1.5°C. If climate protection efforts remain at the current level, warming will rise to 3°C by 2050.

Only one in three customers is prepared to pay a premium for sustainable fashion.

Digitalization poses major challenges for companies. Be it in data protection, the use of AI, or the environmental and social impact of their digital systems.

Digitalization poses major challenges for companies. Be it in data protection, the use of AI, or the environmental and social impact of their digital systems.

Anyone who wants to invest sustainably is confronted with difficulties. Many products are expensive and their impact is difficult to assess.

Since 2002, good business management in Switzerland has been guided by the 'Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance'.

In order to be able to feed a growing world population under difficult climatic and political conditions, there is a need forincreased investment in resource-conserving food production.

A comparative study of Swiss energy suppliers shows that the majority of them already supply their customers with between 80% and 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources - and the trend is rising.

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental and health problems.

In mid-December 2022, the Federal Council submitted the dispatch on the amendment of the Environmental Protection Act to parliament.

Financial institutions in developing countries should pay better attention to ecological diversity when financing economic activities.

Shortly before Christmas 2022, the 15th Biodiversity Conference ended with the signing of a framework agreement.

It is to become more expensive to emit climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2). Negotiators from the EU Parliament and the EU states have agreed on a reform of emissions trading.

The Federal Council wants to prevent the deception of investors regarding the sustainable characteristics of financial products and services. These must be compatible with or help to achieve at least one sustainability goal.

Swiss companies with total assets of at least 20 million Swiss francs or sales of more than 40 million Swiss francs will be subject to the Climate Reporting Ordinance from January 1, 2024. This ordinance intends to highlight risks.

A new fund for the most vulnerable countries was agreed upon at the 27th World Climate Conference. It is intended to support the countries in dealing with the damage caused by climate change. However, important questions remained unanswered ...

Switzerland now ranks only 22nd in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), dropping seven places. By dropping out of the top 20, it is also no longer considered efficient in the fight against global warming.

Are sustainable investments the key to achieving long-term returns? While people who classify themselves as advanced investors answer in the affirmative, those who are less knowledgeable are more critical.

It is not only with the Ukraine war and Russia's halt in the supply of energy sources that it has become clear how important energy-saving measures are. Reducing energy consumption also brings Switzerland closer to its climate targets.

To reach the net-zero target by 2050, investments of around $100 trillion are needed. This is equivalent to about 15% of total global investment over the next 30 years.

The overuse of natural resources is pushing the Earth's environmental systems to their limits. However, the transition to efficient resource use is a long process. Switzerland is also working on this.

Many students seek to solve social problems with their startups. This idealism is important for communicating with potential investors. The stronger focus on sustainability aspects falls on open ears with investors.

The operation of data centers, the manufacture of employees' end devices or the operation of software are responsible for the emission of huge amounts of CO2-equivalent gases. New technologies should help to reduce emissions.

For the past eight years, Liberty Pension Ltd’s headquarters have been located at Milchstrasse 14, with an annex at Hausmatt 1 in Seewen-Schwyz. We are now moving on!

The Federal Council wants to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve the 2030 climate target. To this end, it has adopted the dispatch on the revised CO2 Act for the period from 2025 to 2030.

Every year, a large proportion of the world's food goes to waste. This would not have to be the case if food producers and retailers helped to reduce the loss, and all those involved in the value chain worked together.

The Federal Council has approved the mandate for international negotiations on the drafting of a plastics convention. The Swiss delegation is to lobby for an agreement that combats the pollution of the environment by plastics.

The Federal Council wants to strengthen the position of the Swiss financial center as a leading location for sustainable financial services. To this end, it has adopted a framework for the issuance of green federal bonds.

Der Druck auf Unternehmen, sich der Nachhaltigkeitsthemen anzunehmen, steigt unaufhörlich. Manche Produktanbieter täuschen die ESG-Konformität auch nur vor. Doch ‘Greenwashing’ birgt erhebliche zivilrechtliche und strafrechtliche Risiken.

We kindly remind you that as of 30 September 2022, QR invoices will replace the orange and red payment slips in the whole of Switzerland.

Mit ihren Naturschönheiten lockte die Innerschwyz diesen Sommer wieder zahlreiche Touristen an. Damit trotz vieler Besucher kein Abfall liegenblieb, zogen die Botschafter-Teams der IGSU durch verschiedene Städte und Gemeinden. 

Verwaltungsräte im Finanzdienstleistungssektor haben in den letzten Jahren Fortschritte erzielt. In Bezug auf Nachhaltigkeit, Technologie und Diversität bleiben sie aber hinter den Erwartungen der Anleger zurück.  

In Europa fallen jährlich 7,5 Millionen Tonnen Textilmüll an. Doch nur 30-35% werden getrennt gesammelt. Weniger als 1% wird zu neuer Kleidung recycelt. Dabei könnte die Kreislaufwirtschaft für Textilien bis 2030 in Europa 15’000 neue Jobs ...

CO2-neutral', 'environmentally friendly' or 'biodegradable': a large majority of consumers believe that such claims on products should be mandatory. After all, they influence purchasing behavior.  

Der Schweizer Finanzplatz soll mit glaubwürdiger Klimatransparenz einen internationalen Spitzenplatz einnehmen. Greenpeace Schweiz begrüsst die Stossrichtung. Die Indikatoren sollten aber verbindlich vorgeschrieben werden.  

Die Bankiervereinigung erlässt mit zwei neuen Selbstregulierungen Mindestvorgaben für den Einbezug von Nachhaltigkeitskriterien in die Anlage- und Hypothekarberatung. Die Selbstregulierungen sind für Mitglieder der SBVg verbindlich.

Ein zielgerichteter Ausschluss von Aktien und Obligationen mit geringer ESG-Qualität kann das Portfolio vor ESG-Extremrisiken schützen und sogar für Mehrertrag sorgen. Dieser ist umso grösser, als die ESG-Qualität von Wertschriften besonder ...

Der Markt für nachhaltige Geldanlagen ist auch 2021 deutlich gewachsen. Das Wachstum ist einerseits auf den vermehrten Einsatz nachhaltiger Anlageansätze und andererseits auf die positive Marktentwicklung im letzten Jahr zurückzuführen.

The financial industry accepted Ueli Maurer's invitation to discuss the opportunities and developments of Sustainable Finance for asset management in Switzerland. The goal is to expand the competitiveness of the Swiss financial center.

Die jährlichen Finanzmittel für den Klimaschutz müssten fast versechsfacht werden, um die globale Erwärmung auf 1,5°C zu begrenzen. Entscheidend ist auch, dass dieses Kapital an die richtigen Stellen fliesst.

Der Bund und die Stiftung Klimarappen haben ihre Vereinbarung zur Verwendung der Vermögenswerte der Stiftung erneuert. Die Vereinbarung regelt, für welche Art von Klimaschutzprojekten das verbleibende Stiftungsvermögen bis 2032 eingesetzt w ...

Die Kosten steigen, die Nachfrage sinkt: Fairtrade-Blumenfarmen in Ostafrika fürchten um ihre Existenz. Sie sind Lebensgrundlage von Zehntausenden Arbeitnehmenden. Wer Blumen kaufen möchte, sollte Fairtrade-zertifizierte Blumen bevorzugen.

The Asset Management Association Switzerland is committed to creating measures against greenwashing. Its new position paper, shows how Switzerland's claim to leadership in sustainable finance can be realized.

Der Skandal um die Adler Group, einem luxemburgischen Immobilienkonzern mit einem Portfolio über 11,4 Milliarden Euro, bringt es auf den Punkt: Es braucht mehr Transparenz im Markt. Gerade auch bei als nachhaltig vermarkten Immobilienfonds. ...

Holz als Bau- und Möbelmaterial ist wieder gefragt. Es entspricht der neuen Nachhaltigkeitslinie, denn Plastik als Erdölprodukt ebenso wie chemisch hergestellte Kunststoffe werden möglichst gemieden. Doch ist Holz unbedingt nachhaltiger?

Das geltende CO2-Gesetz schreibt vor, dass die Treibhausgasemissionen innerhalb der Schweiz bis 2020 im Vergleich zu 1990 um 20% sinken sollen. Tatsächlich sind sie um 19% gesunken. Dies zeigt das Treibhausgasinventar 2020 des BAFU.

The latest IPCC report shows, that the climate protection efforts of all countries, including Switzerland, have been insufficient to date. The IPCC also clearly emphasizes the responsibility of the richest countries in the fight against the ...

Die Osterfeiertage stehen vor der Tür, die Lebensmittelgeschäfte quellen über mit Leckereien, und so mancher Konsument lässt sich zum Kauf verführen. Doch oft ist es dann zu viel, und ein Teil landet im Abfall. Das muss nicht sein, sagen au ...

Nur 25% des Vorsorgekapitals werden so investiert, dass die Treibhausgasemissionen kontinuierlich sinken. Lediglich ein Viertel der Vorsorgeeinrichtungen unterstützt also das Klimaziel von maximal 1.5° C Klimaerwärmung mit Netto-Null spätes ...

Finanzinstitute können sich kaum mehr leisten, Nachhaltigkeitsziele zu ignorieren. Das zeigt das Beispiel von Ethos und einer Gruppe institutioneller Anleger und Pensionskassen, die bei der Credit Suisse einen Aktionärsantrag eingereicht ha ...

Wenn wir Konsumprodukte wie Waschmaschinen, Smartphones, Kleider und Möbel länger nutzen, trägt dies beträchtlich zum Klimaschutz bei. Greenpeace Schweiz setzt sich darum für eine echte Kreislaufwirtschaft ein und fordert ein Recht zu Repar ...

Der neu publizierte Bericht des Weltklimarats beleuchtet die Auswirkungen der globalen Erwärmung sowie die zu erwartenden Klimaschäden daraus. Greenpeace fordert die Schweiz auf, endlich aus fossilen Brennstoffen auszusteigen.

Um zur Erreichung des Netto-Null-Ziels beizutragen, müssen Elektrofahrzeuge günstiger werden und ihren ökologischen Fussabdruck weiter verkleinern. Neuartige Batterietechnologien und ein effizientes Batterierecycling könnten dabei helfen.

Erdgas und Kernenergie sollen in die EU-Taxonomie aufgenommen werden. Beobachter warnen davor, Kapital für den Ausbau solcher Energien nicht zu regulieren und fordern eine verpflichtende Klassifizierung von Finanzprodukten.

The ski crew of the mountain railways "Obersaxen Mundaun" required new work wear urgently. LibertyGreen gladly stepped in, using this opportunity for another exciting sponsorship in the sports sector. The crew thanks us for our support!

Für die obersten Führungskräfte von Schweizer Unternehmen ist klar: Der Klimawandel ist real und hat spürbar negative Auswirkungen auf ihr Geschäft. Die Reaktion auf den Klimawandel ist dringlich.

Sustainable investing is in vogue. In the search for new markets and returns, many financial institutions are "greenwashing" their products. The LibertyGreen 3a Pension Foundation is fighting back against this.

Produzenten fossiler Energien werden kaum früh genug deren Förderung beenden, um das Pariser Klimaziel zu erreichen. Darum sind technologische Methoden zur Rückholung von CO2 aus der Atmosphäre voranzutreiben, propagiert Avenir Suisse.

Would you like to find sustainable services, products and consumption alternatives? Greenpick.ch presents you with alternatives from Swiss SMEs and organizations, which excel in at least three areas of sustainability. This now also includes ...

Das Thema Integrität und Compliance wird in der Öffentlichkeit immer präsenter. Es zählt zu den ESG-Kriterien und betrifft die Governance bzw. Unternehmensführung. Grosse Aufmerksamkeit erhielt es zuletzt durch den Wirecard-Skandal.

Die Investitionen in nachhaltige Finanzprodukte steigen weiter an. Zwischen Kundenerwartung und Produkteigenschaft können sich jedoch Diskrepanzen ergeben. Mindestanforderungen sollen das Anlegervertrauen nun stärken.

Wie kann man Lebensmittelabfall verringern? Dieser Frage sind Forschende der ETH Zürich nachgegangen. Derweil ist ein Schweizer das Problem in der realen Welt angegangen, und hat das «Zollfrei» und das «Foifi» ZeroWaste Ladencafé gegründet. ...

LibertyGreen 3a is a new member of Swiss Sustainable Finance. The association promotes best practices in companies, and networks members and partners to make the Swiss financial center a leader in sustainable investments.

Gemäss der Erklärung von Glasgow sollen die ineffizienten Subventionen für Öl, Gas und Kohle gestrichen werden und die Länder ihren Kohleausstieg einleiten. Sie sollen unzureichende Klimaschutzpläne zudem bis Ende 2022 nachbessern müssen. ...

Das ‘Network for Greening the Financial System’ hat aufgrund der 26. UNO-Klima-Konferenz die NGFS Glasgow Declaration veröffentlicht. Sie beschreibt den Beitrag des NGFS zu den COP26-Zielen. Auch die FINMA will deren Empfehlungen umsetzen.

More and more people are living on earth, but the resources for food are stagnating. Modern agriculture is challenged; it must significantly and sustainably increase productivity and efficiency. Digitization and Big Data are supposed to hel ...

Der weltweite Trend zu nachhaltigem Anlegen hat auch die Pensionskassen erfasst. Beim Megathema Klima besteht aber noch erheblicher Nachholbedarf. Auch weichen die Nachhaltigkeitskonzepte der einzelnen Kassen teils stark voneinander ab.

Methan ist nach CO2 der zweitwichtigste Treiber der Erderwärmung. Fünf Branchen sind für 98% der Methanemissionen verantwortlich. Steigen die Emissionen mit der aktuellen Geschwindigkeit weiter an, ist das Erreichen des 1,5-Grad-Ziels unmög ...

In der Schweiz wird der Druck auf mehr Separatsammlungen immer grösser. Das betrifft insbesondere Kunststoff. Auf Effizienz und tatsächlichen Umweltnutzen werde dabei weniger geachtet, kritisiert Mario Bonato von Avenir Suisse.

Institutionelle Anleger in Europa achten bei Nachhaltigkeit verstärkt auf ökologische und soziale Themen. Nicht so in der Schweiz: Nur 14% der Vorsorgeeinrichtungen mit unter 500 Mio. USD Anlagevermögen haben schon ESG-Risiken berücksichtig ...

In June, Swiss voters rejected the CO2 law. The Federal Council is now launching consultations on a new bill. The Government is sticking to its climate policy goals but dispensing with controversial instruments.

In the fight against global deforestation, Ethos has collected international best practices and summarised them in an Engagement Paper.# Its objective is to encourage companies to take action to prevent deforestation.

Most providers of financial services in Germany, Switzerland and Austria set great store by the social-environmental impact of their products. Critics fault the inflationary use of the term “impact”. What is at issue?

How well do Swiss banks advise their clients about sustainable investments? Poorly, according to a new survey. There are also striking deficits in advisors’ knowledge, offers and products.

The National Council Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy is seeking to ensure that key climate protection instruments are kept in place without interruption. It has prepared a transitional solution until end-2024 for ...

There are too many obstacles to the investing decision. The barriers to investing differ depending on investor profile. Investors expect simplicity, personal contact, and tailored services.

Climate change adds new impetus to sustainable investments. Many providers of financial services are launching products designed to satisfy environmental and social demands in addition to financial requirements. There is a want of binding s ...

The coronavirus pandemic has underscored the importance of sustainability and accelerated the flow of capital toward sustainable investments. But how sustainably are investors really investing?

Climate change is progressing faster than anticipated. But it can still be contained. This presupposes a huge reduction in green house gas emissions. Governments see the financial industry playing a key role in this process.