immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Klimakriese

  • 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

  • LafargeHolcim intensifies efforts to achieve climate goals

    LafargeHolcim intensifies efforts to achieve climate goals

    As the first globally active building materials group, LafargeHolcim has committed itself to scientifically sound goals for reducing its CO2 footprint, explains the Zug-based cement giant in a press release . Specifically, LafargeHolcim will participate in the Science-Based Targets Initiative ( SBTi ) campaign. Its aim is to motivate companies to set scientifically sound, measurable objectives with which the climate target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius can be met.

    As part of the campaign, LafargeHolcim will reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of cementitious building materials to 475 kilograms, the company explains in the press release. Furthermore, the Zug-based building materials group wants to increase the use of low-carbon and CO2-neutral building materials. In addition, the company's footprint is to be reduced by increasing the reuse and recycling of waste and by-products. Overall, LafargeHolcim aims to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 emissions from purchased electricity by more than 20 percent by 2030 compared to 2018.

    "As the world's largest cement manufacturer, we are playing a key role in overcoming the challenges of today's climate crisis," said Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer of LafargeHolcim, quoted in the press release. "On our way to becoming a 'net-zero' company, we are not only part of the solution, but we also support our customers in achieving their carbon reduction goals."