Burping cows and artificial intelligence: Climate Foundation awards grants

The Swiss Climate Foundation writes in its latest communique about award-winning climate protection projects: Cows harm the climate about as much as all cars, trucks and airplanes combined. Methane produced in their stomachs is many times more harmful than CO2. Now, an SME in western Switzerland wants to ensure that cows emit less methane. A feed additive based on garlic and citrus fruits called MOOTRAL is said to reduce methane emissions by up to 38%.

"We are supporting MOOTRAL with a donation of 200,000 Swiss francs," says Vincent Eckert, managing director of the Swiss Climate Foundation. This will allow the SME to initially dispense the food supplement at a discounted rate. "It is important that such measures are quickly implemented, because mankind must halve its emissions of climate gases in the next 12 years compared to 1990," says Eckert.

16 climate protection projects receive funding

In its spring award round, the Swiss Climate Foundation is supporting numerous other SMEs with funding. For example, Revopack in Vaud wants to halve the number of truck trips to dispose of bottles, cans and tins with a new recycling press. The compact press is installed directly at the return points and compresses bottles by half, cans and tins by as much as over 80%.

Other funded SMEs are developing new types of wind turbines or using artificial intelligence to manage sewage systems more efficiently. Old acquaintances" are also receiving new funding: With financial support from the Swiss Climate Foundation, Biel-based SME Joulia has already developed a shower tray that uses the heat from used water to preheat fresh water, thus saving a lot of heating energy.

Meanwhile, a shower channel is also available, which is invisibly installed in the shower floor. Now, the SME wants to invest in a more cost-effective manufacturing process that will make heat recovery even more attractive. Once again, it is receiving support from the foundation.

"The range of projects submitted is huge," says a delighted Eckert. "SMEs are tackling the fight against climate change from all possible angles. That's exactly what's needed if we want to prevent the worst consequences of climate change."
Banks, insurance companies and other service providers on board

The Swiss Climate Foundation is financed by 27 large service companies from Switzerland and Liechtenstein. They donate their net rebate from the CO2 tax to the joint foundation, which uses it to promote climate protection projects by domestic SMEs. After a record year in 2018, the Swiss Climate Foundation plans to award even more funding this year. "Thanks to our partner companies, we are well financed," says Eckert. "With their commitment, we can continue to ensure that innovative ideas for climate protection become reality."

About the Swiss Climate Foundation

Protecting the climate. Strengthening SMEs. According to this motto, the Swiss Climate Foundation supports projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that contribute to climate protection. Since its establishment in 2008, the foundation has awarded grants totaling 20 million Swiss francs to over 1,400 SMEs in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The Swiss Climate Foundation was established as a non-profit, independent foundation. It is under federal supervision and is open to interested companies that want to strengthen climate protection through efficient and targeted use of the redistribution from the CO2 steering levy.

Since January 2008, the CO2 Act has required a levy on fuels. Part of the levy flows back to the economy. Large service companies in particular receive more back than they have paid. The partner companies of the Swiss Climate Foundation use this "net rebate" for climate protection measures of Swiss and Liechtenstein SMEs.

The partners of the Swiss Climate Foundation

The Swiss and Liechtenstein service providers Allianz Suisse, Alternative Bank Switzerland, AXA, Bank J. Safra Sarasin, ECA, Gebäudeversicherung Bern, Gebäudeversicherung Kanton Zürich, Glarner Kantonalbank, Julius Bär, LGT, Liechtensteinische Landesbank, Man Investments, NewRe, PartnerRe, Pictet & Cie, PwC Switzerland, Raiffeisen Switzerland, RobecoSAM, Sanitas Krankenversicherung, SAP (Schweiz) AG, SCOR, Swiss Life, Swiss Re, Vaudoise Assurances, Vontobel, VP Bank and AXA XL are partners of the Swiss Climate Foundation.

More information: www.klimastiftung.ch