First Net Zero campaign on precious resources

ETH Zurich wants to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in all relevant areas by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040. This means it aims to produce no more greenhouse gases from that point on. This vision includes products and services along the entire supply chain – and with it our consumption of resources.

Natural resources are the basis of our existence. That makes them precious. But we have long been making too much use of many of them. The path to climate neutrality will therefore require all of us to use these resources responsibly. This means using and protecting resources sustainably as an organisation – on campus, in teaching and in research.

This has prompted ETH Sustainability to launch the “Resources Are Precious” campaign and to challenge the ETH community to “Use your Brain. Rethink your Routines.” The campaign is aimed at reminding us just how valuable our resources are and provides each and every one of us with simple ways of protecting these resources in our everyday lives.

“Switch off”, “Heat less”, “Reduce packaging”

Since the beginning of the week, our “Calls to Action” displayed on digital screens and posters have been encouraging people to take action. They provide examples of how this can be achieved in the areas of electricity, heating and packaging. The following are specific steps we can all take:

• Heat less by turning down the heating by 1 degree – this saves an average of 6 percent energy.
• Reduce packaging by using reusable crockery and a water bottle and separating your waste for recycling.
• Switch off electronic devices instead of leaving them on stand-by – this saves up to 80 percent of our total power consumption.
• Use our stickers on devices in offices or laboratories to remind us to switch them off.

Our “switch off” stickers are available free of charge from Campus Info from today.

Interaction at the info cube

From today – Wednesday – the campaign is being launched in an installation on the forecourt of the Main Building and on Stefano-Franscini-Platz on the Hönggerberg. Key visuals and messages will be portrayed using recyclable adhesive films both on the ground and on stone blocks, while an information cube will provide background information and interesting facts about power supply, heating, cooling production and recycling on campus.

Over the next four weeks, the info cube will be used regularly as a platform by ETH Sustainability for discussions and small events – initially on the Zentrum campus and, from the middle of the campaign, on the Hönggerberg campus.

“Precious Resources” is the first ETH-wide campaign to be held as part of the Net Zero programme. The Engineering and Systems department (E&S) supported ETH Sustainability in developing the content of this campaign.

You can find out more about “Precious Resources” on the campaign website and in the new ETH Sustainability Newsletter.