THE SWISSTAINABLE WAY

Sustainability in clean, green and serene Switzerland isn’t a tourism marketing label, it’s a way of life, writes Andrew Conway.

01 The Klausen Pass © Andreas Gerth 02 Dreamy Lake Klöntal © Jan Geerk 03 X Cube Aletsch, a unique overnight experience on the Eggishorn © Pascal Gertschen/aletscharena.ch

02 You don’t have to look far in Switzerland to see that nature reigns supreme. The national landscape from Ascona to Zurich is an A to Z of scenic splendours, from monumental alpine peaks to mirror-still lakes and inner-city parklands and gardens. Crisp, fresh air, crystal-clear waters and bracing outdoor pursuits in all seasons are as natural to Switzerland as cheese and chocolate.

Such a fortunate country might take its bucolic surroundings for granted in the hope that nature will take care of itself – but not Switzerland. This alluring land-locked nation of around 8.5 million people has long understood that protecting and preserving the one thing that makes it so unique and special is paramount for its ongoing prosperity.

In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the Swiss Federal Council has committed to a climate-neutral Switzerland by 2050, and has already achieved remarkable success.

Air pollution emission rates are among the lowest of OECD nations. Switzerland was ranked the third ‘greenest’ country in the world by the 2020 Environmental Protection Index, with a score of 81.5. And it strives to produce resources using renewable energy to further promote its green economy.

Natural selection

Now the country is turning its attention to the impact of travel and tourism with a high-level and nationwide strategy cleverly called ‘Swisstainable’. Rest assured, this is not a slick new marketing campaign: Swisstainable is designed to become a way of life, not only for the Swiss population but for every traveller who visits and tours Switzerland.

“Swiss people are extremely passionate about Switzerland, the beauty of our country, and we want to share it with visitors from all over the world,” says Urs Eberhard, executive vice president of Switzerland Tourism.

“But we also know we have to be really careful not to destroy what we love, and it’s extremely important to find the right balance between the needs of our people, the needs of our visitors and also the needs of the environment,” he adds.

Sustainability has shaped Switzerland for decades, fuelled by the nation’s predominant use of hydroelectric power. The innovative new Swisstainable strategy extends across Switzerland’s entire travel and tourism sector, the length and breadth of the country.

Eberhard says more than 600 operators and businesses – from public transport to restaurants, hotels and tour operators, among many others – have signed up and made a commitment to the Swisstainable strategy.

Far from being a detriment to the visitor experience, the new program is designed to enhance it. “Sustainable travel doesn’t mean having to sacrifice a good time – it can actually give people lots of satisfaction and a much more meaningful experience,” says Eberhard.

The freedom to move

Ease and freedom of movement across the country are cornerstones of the Swisstainable program. The Swiss public transport system is one of the world’s densest, most efficient and climate-friendly public transport networks, connecting the country by trains, boats, buses, cable cars, plus biking and hiking trails – linked by the all-encompassing Swiss Travel Pass.

SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) is already 90 per cent run on hydroelectric power, emitting less CO2 than any other motorised transport, with the goal of reaching 100 per cent by 2025. Rhaetian Railway has been emission-free since 2013, and even Switzerland’s most luxurious boat, the MS Diamant on Lake Lucerne, is also climate-neutral.

Switzerland’s legendary E-Grand Tour is the world’s first 100 per cent electric road route with approximately 300 hundred charging stations along the way. A total of 19 Swiss parks cover more than one eighth of Switzerland’s land area, and almost a third of the country remains forested.

Myriad other public transport options range from catamarans to cable cars, PostBus services, funiculars and scenic railways operated by hydroelectric or solar power. In addition, the upscale ski resort of Zermatt is completely car-free.

“Clean air, crystal-clear water and open spaces have become much more important during this time of global challenges.”

WATCH

how St. Moritz is using recycled water to make snow.

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04 Kayaking near Bönigen © Lorenz Richard 05 Biking Val d’Anniviers alpine valley © Silvano Zeiter/ 06 Gardens at Schloss Wartegg, Rorschacherberg © Giglio Pasqua. Images 01-02 & 04-06 © Switzerland Tourism

The nation’s water is so clean visitors can swim safely in pollution-free lakes and rivers in the heart of major cities. Swiss people rank among the world’s top consumers of organic food and products, and are global leaders in recycling and waste management.

Eberhard insists Swisstainable is designed to enrich the visitor experience to Switzerland. “We want visitors to feel empowered when they visit our country; we want them to feel good and feel that nature can really energise them,” he says. “Clean air, crystal-clear water and open spaces have become much more important during this time of global challenges,” he adds. “People are longing to be outdoors in nature and have time to breathe in the fresh, clean air and wonderful scenery of a country like Switzerland.”

Leading the way

St. Moritz may be one of the world’s oldest and most famous winter sports resorts, but it’s not resting on its laurels. A long-time pioneer of sustainability, this innovative alpine destination is now focused on its ‘Vision 2025’ strategy, which is set to be a world-first for a ski destination.

In a bid to exclusively use recycled water for seasonal snowmaking on its slopes, the town has successfully completed its first water reservoir, with a second to be built by 2025. The multi-million Swiss francs plan also includes the removal of pumping stations used to transport water from the valley to the mountain.

The savings in water and electricity are already enormous, along with St. Moritz’s groundbreaking modelling of how and where snow should be made and distributed.

The town’s cutting-edge ‘Snowsat’ system uses satellite technology during summer months to accurately map the rugged alpine terrain and show exactly how much and where snowmaking is required to ensure optimum winter sports conditions.