Record year: Over 400 climate protection projects supported by SMEs
In 2020, the Swiss Climate Foundation awarded an above-average amount of money to an above-average number of SMEs. Almost five million francs in funding was awarded. These will go to more than 400 climate protection projects of Swiss and Liechtenstein companies. More than half of the sum flows into the development of innovative technologies that are central to achieving the national climate targets, as the organization writes.
The office building becomes a solar power plant, recycled concrete becomes a CO2-storage, waste turned into fuel and perfume: The creativity of Swiss and Liechtenstein SMEs to protect the climate has not diminished in the challenging 2020. The Swiss Climate Foundation has once again received numerous funding applications. The Foundation and Advisory Board have granted around 5 million francs in 2020. That is 16 percent more than in the Previous year.
Innovative technologies at the center of funding
In 2020, the majority of the funding once again went to innovation: A total of 23 projects can now count on the foundation's support, amounting to a total of 2.7 million Swiss francs. The innovations supported include a technology for storing CO2 in recycled concrete (neustark), novel processes for the production of sustainable insulation material from ash (FenX) or for the conversion of plant waste into high-value chemicals as an alternative to petroleum (Bloom Biorenewables) and a CO2-neutral heating of greenhouses with organic fat waste (Oekokraft).
"If we want to achieve the national climate targets, we are urgently dependent on such forward-looking technologies, especially in the building and agricultural sectors as well as in the circular economy," says Thomas Hügli, President of the Foundation Board of the Swiss Climate Foundation. "It will not be enough for the economy to reduce its CO2-emissions are reduced or compensated for. We are therefore combining the strengths of the individual partner companies in the joint foundation in order to further expand the promotion of climate innovations in an efficient and focused manner."
More than twice as many projects funded as in the previous year
More than 350 energy efficiency projects will also receive support from the Swiss Climate Foundation in the future. In addition to numerous standard measures for improved energy efficiency in operations (projects such as the switch to electromobility, the use of waste heat or the replacement of appliances), these also include twelve large-scale projects for the promotion and processing of biogas. In addition, there are around 30 projects from the forest maintenance program, in which the foundation supports the regeneration of overaged forests in order to reduce their CO2-receiving capacity. In total, the number of individual projects funded in 2020 amounts to more than 400, more than double the previous year's figure.
Redistribution from CO2-Levy unfolds greatest possible effect
The funding is made possible by more than 20 Swiss and Liechtenstein companies, which pay the foundation the redistribution to which they are entitled from the CO2-capture levy. The Swiss Climate Foundation is open to further companies that would like to support this joint commitment of the economy to achieve the national climate goals as future partners.
Source: Climate Foundation Switzerland
