Klimaforum Zurich

The city of Zurich aims to become climate-neutral by 2040. For the city administration, net zero shall apply by 2035. For the first time, the city council has also defined a reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions that occur outside the city limits. These so-called indirect emissions play an important role in achieving net zero. Especially in the case of indirect emissions, there is room for participation. This is because these emissions often involve opportunities for action that are in the hands of all city residents. For example, there is a lot of leverage in consumption. But there is also direct scope for action in other areas, such as the choice of transport.

Cities are particularly affected by climate change. In the city of Zurich, too, measures are already necessary today to mitigate the increasing heat and consequential climate damage. This does not only apply to the city of Zurich; rather, climate protection is a comprehensive task. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide must be reduced to net zero by 2050 at the latest in order to significantly mitigate global warming.

Climate-neutral city by 2040

The city of Zurich is taking its responsibility in climate protection seriously and aims to achieve net zero as early as 2040. This requires various measures that must be implemented quickly. The city wants to implement all measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its own sphere of influence as early as 2035. This does not include the conversion of the heat supply, which cannot be fully completed until after 2035. For the new climate target, the municipal code was amended and submitted to the voters. The referendum was held on May 15, 2022. The proposal was accepted with a clear majority of 75 percent.