immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Dekarbonisierung

  • The CO2-neutral future as a common goal

    The CO2-neutral future as a common goal

    The collaboration between Zimmermann and Ackermann aims to explore innovative ways of utilising the atmosphere as a resource. Empa and Eawag are working together to develop technologies that effectively bind CO2 and thus contribute to decarbonisation. Despite the high expectations and pressure to deliver solutions, both recognise an urgent need to act and are optimistic that they can make a significant contribution.

    Research and cooperation as the key to success
    The research institutions rely not only on their internal expertise, but also on cooperation within the entire ETH Domain and with international partners. The aim is to develop practicable solutions to the climate crisis by pooling knowledge and resources. Eawag, which specialises in water research, and Empa, which focuses on materials science, complement each other perfectly in their efforts to promote both climate adaptation and climate protection.

    Future-oriented projects and technologies
    From the development of negative emission technologies to the exploitation of new energy sources from CO2, researchers are working on projects that will enable a long-term change towards a sustainable society. The initiatives include both the improvement of existing technologies and research into innovative approaches to reducing CO2 from the atmosphere.

    The various “pillars” of the concept are currently being developed, such as the extraction of CO2, its chemical conversion and, finally, technologies to produce value-adding materials in which the carbon is bound in the long term. The first projects for negative emission technologies are already under development at Empa, such as insulation materials made from biochar and types of cement that absorb CO2 during the setting process instead of releasing it. Further initiatives are to be launched next year. Ms Zimmermann herself would like to launch a wood topic based on her research background. Initial discussions between various stakeholders have begun.

    Funding and support for the research initiatives
    Funding for the ambitious projects is secured from various sources, including grants and contributions from the participating institutions. The aim is to use the research work to support not only Switzerland but also the global community in the fight against climate change.

    Switzerland as a pioneer in climate protection
    Thanks to its favourable framework conditions, Switzerland continues to be an international leader. It is ideally positioned to develop technologies and concepts and to apply and market them internationally. This increases the competitiveness of Swiss industry and makes a valuable contribution to global climate protection.

    You can find the full interview at this link. https://www.empa.ch/web/s604/mining-the-atmosphere-interview-tanja-zimmermann-martin-ackermann

  • Romande Energie invests in the start-up Popety.io

    Romande Energie invests in the start-up Popety.io

    Romande Energie Group is investing in the start-up Popety.io from Plan-les-Ouates, which is active in property acquisition. The Group sees itself as an important player in the decarbonisation of French-speaking Switzerland. According to a press release, this commitment is intended to strengthen the BRM (Building Relationship Management) data processing tool that Romande Energie launched in March 2023 to support the renovation of its property portfolio.

    In a spirit of partnership and support for start-ups, energy supplier Romande Energie is acquiring a 6.45 per cent stake in the start-up Popety.io, which already counts Vaudoise Insurance among its investors. Through its Romande Energie Ventures unit, the Group analyses the market and invests in start-ups that also pursue the goal of contributing to the decarbonisation of French-speaking Switzerland. “We are convinced that data will simplify the decarbonisation of buildings. We are delighted to be driving these developments forward together with Popety.io,” said Géraud de Laval, Head of Strategy & Innovation – Real Estate at Romande Energie Ventures.

    Popety.io can now “count on the expertise of a committed energy provider like Romande Energie to accelerate the renovation of the building stock and accompany us in the development of our start-up”, founder and CEO Thibault Clément is quoted as saying.

    According to the press release, there are hundreds of thousands of buildings in Switzerland that are in need of renovation. Between 30 and 40 per cent of greenhouse gases come from buildings. The renovation rate of the Swiss building stock must therefore be drastically increased in order to fulfil the Energy Strategy 2050 and the Climate Act recently adopted by the Swiss people.

  • Early planning phase is crucial for net zero in real estate

    Early planning phase is crucial for net zero in real estate

    A broad-based portfolio study by Implenia shows how climate-neutral buildings can be realised. For this study, the construction company’s Real Estate Division examined 36 of its own development projects in Switzerland. According to a press release, this study reveals the most important levers for decarbonising buildings over their entire life cycle, both in terms of emissions during their construction and during operation.

    Implenia has compiled these influencing factors in a white paper. It is aimed at investors, developers and clients who want to bring their project onto a net-zero target path.

    According to this analysis, the most effective levers for decarbonisation can be found in the early planning phase, starting with site selection. This is because if the site conditions are unfavourable in terms of renewable energies, it is much more difficult to achieve net-zero use.

    In addition, building parameters set early on also have “a significant impact on emissions targets”. These include shape, compactness, orientation, basement and support structure. “With the right combination of location, design, the use of renewable energies, intelligent systems and ecological materials, we develop buildings in which future generations can live and work sustainably,” says Marc Lyon, Head Real Estate Development Switzerland at Implenia.

  • Holcim creates 1.5 degree frames for cement industry

    Holcim creates 1.5 degree frames for cement industry

    Holcim announces the launch of the world’s first science-based framework for decarbonizing the cement industry . This emerged from a partnership with the Science Based Targets Initiative ( SBTi ). Previously, Holcim independently of the SBTi, together with a group of experts from academia, civil society and industry, had developed such a framework to achieve the decarbonization of the industry “in a rigorous and science-based way”. The building materials producer has realigned its own net zero climate targets for 2030 and submitted them to the SBTi for validation.

    For the first time, cement companies have a clear plan “on how to align their decarbonization strategies with climate science,” Alberto Carrillo Pineda, co-founder and CTO of SBTi, is quoted in the release. “The shift to low-carbon technologies is critical to the long-term viability of the industry.” That’s why the SBTi encourages all cement manufacturers to “set science-based targets and play their part in building a climate-resilient economy.”

    “With the growing population and increasing urbanization, the construction sector has a key role to play in building a net-zero future,” says Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch. It’s about “building better with less effort”. Holcim encourages all colleagues to “join us to increase our impact together”. mm