In just over 30 years, from 1990 to 2024, Switzerland has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 27.3%, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEV). The construction sector recorded the largest reduction compared to other sectors.
In total, Switzerland emitted 40.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, around 0.5 million fewer than in 2023, according to the Swiss greenhouse gas inventory published on Monday by FOEV. The inventory will be submitted to the UN Climate Change Secretariat.
Emissions related to the construction sector decreased the most, by 47% compared to 1990. At issue is the “strong increase in the number of heat pumps installed in recent years,” according to FOEF.
Industry emissions in 2024 amounted to 8.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent. This is about 33% less than in 1990.
For the first time, the inventory takes into account the negative emissions produced by the industry. This amounts to 705 tons of CO2.
As part of a research project by ETH Zurich with Neustark, several tons of CO2 were captured for the first time in a biogas plant and permanently stored in recycled concrete, a FOEF spokesperson explained. The company provided FOEF with the necessary data for inventory declaration, RTS reports.
The consideration of negative emissions is foreseen in the country's climate reports under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is open to all countries, says FOEV. To date and "to our knowledge, no other country has declared negative emissions in its greenhouse gas inventory under the Paris Agreement," the spokesperson says, albinfo.ch reports.
Transport and agriculture
Emissions generated by the transport sector amounted to 13.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. They were almost 10% lower than in 1990, partly due to the increasing use of biofuels.
Finally, emissions from agriculture have not changed in 2024. They are 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. “Synthetic greenhouse gas emissions, such as refrigerants, and emissions from waste management have remained almost unchanged compared to 2023,” notes FOEF. Other emissions are 8.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, 13% less than in 1990.
Overall, the transport sector is responsible for the majority of Swiss greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 33.5% of total emissions. It is followed by the industry sector (22.3%) and buildings (22%).
Note that aviation and maritime transport emissions are presented separately, in line with UN guidelines. In 2024, these amounted to 5.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
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