Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero is a complex and ambitious project. It comprises the following sub-objectives:
- Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from ewz to net zero by 2040
- Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from our products and services for the municipal authorities to net zero by 2035 as an interim target
- A 30% reduction in indirect emissions for the construction of our plants and grids by 2035 compared to 1990 levels
We compensate for unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions with negative emissions. CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere by means of carbon dioxide capture and bound in solid form in rocks or biomass for long-term storage.
We monitor the progression of our greenhouse gas emissions with a carbon footprint. It encompasses:
- Direct greenhouse gas emissions
- Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from energy sources
- Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from purchases of goods and services
Our electricity products
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ewz electricity products are up to 73% lower compared to Switzerland’s supplier electricity mix. The reason for this is the exclusive use of renewable energy. Compared with the GHG emissions from nuclear power, those from ewz electricity products are the same or lower.
PV plants have higher carbon footprint values than other renewable energy sources. This is due to silicon extraction and the manufacture of solar modules. The emissions of the investment model ewz.solarzüri are therefore higher than those of other ewz electricity products. However, ewz.solarzüri still performs better than the average Swiss supplier electricity mix.
One prerequisite for reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions is an expansion of the electricity and heat supply. As an energy service provider, we assume that the electrification of mobility and heating will lead to a moderate increase in electricity demand despite lower energy consumption. We are responding to this development with the following measures:
- At home and abroad, we are consistently expanding our power production from renewable sources (wind, water and solar).
- At the same time, we are optimising our power grid in line with the electricity needs of our customers.
- In Switzerland, we are continuously expanding the heating and cooling supply. The aim is that, in future, around 60% of the properties in the city of Zurich will be connected to ewz heating networks.
We reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing low-carbon materials and services. With this aim in mind, we also support our suppliers in reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions. By working with project developers and technology providers, we also keep the required amount of negative emissions as small as possible.
CO₂-eq is a unit of measure used to standardise the greenhouse gas impact of different climate gases. Here’s an example: methane (CH₄) is 25 times more harmful to the environment than CO₂. So the greenhouse gas potential of 1 g of methane equates to 25 g CO₂eq.
