Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Switzerland is showing its colors at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (November 30 – December 12) with a village full of start-ups presenting their ideas and solutions for more sustainability. It is also the first time the Swiss government is sending a separate financial delegation to a UN Climate Change Conference.
Caption: Switzerland is emphasizing its commitment to the Paris climate goals at the COP28 in Dubai (Picture: © COP28).
Taking stock
The participating 197 countries are taking for the first time jointly stock of the progress made under the Paris Agreement of 2015 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. In this context, the Dubai conference has to decide on the global expansion of renewable energies and energy efficiency. Another intention is to clarify important issues relating to the new fund for climate-related loss and damage adopted at the previous COP27.
The Swiss delegation is also working towards the adoption of resolutions to phase out oil and gas by 2050 and coal by 2040. The fund for loss and damage should benefit the poorest countries and those particularly affected by climate change. All countries should provide support according to their means, Switzerland argues. Financing should be based on the polluter-pays principle and also come from private and innovative sources. Swiss President Alain Berset attended the opening meeting of heads of state.
Building Bridges
For the first time, Switzerland is sending two delegations to the UN Climate Change Conference. The reasoning: The workload of the official negotiating delegation is so high that they are rarely able to attend the various events at the COP venue. The “Building Bridges” delegation of high-ranking Swiss financial sector representatives is filling that gap.
“One reason is that (this setup) enables us to position Switzerland better as a leading center for sustainable finance,” explained Caroline Wehrle, Senior Policy Advisor on Sustainable Finance at the State Secretariat for International Finance and coordinator for the Building Bridges delegation. Switzerland has been very active in sustainable finance over recent years.
Village with start-ups
Besides, a first-ever Swiss Village at a UN Climate Change Conference promotes Swiss start-ups that offer concrete and sustainable climate change solutions. The heart of activities is in the ‘Green Zone’, a special space open to the public and expected to receive around 30,000 to 50,000 visitors every day. The Swiss start-ups cover a wide range of sectors, including clean air technology, sustainable petrochemistry, and blockchain.
Clean Air Enterprise AG is a leader in air quality improvement and energy transition, specializing in the development, production, and sale of air treatment modules. Deasyl aims to foster a robust circular economy through greener production processes, focusing on reducing chemical pollution and incorporating environmental considerations in product design.
Solskin focuses on developing an artificial intelligence system for optimal climate control and energy production. Daphne Technology specializes in technologies to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources. Tesenso offers comprehensive expertise and tailored end-to-end solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT). LUQEL is a sustainable water solution provider whose system transforms tap water into premium drinking water.
Text: SCCIJ based on material of the Federal Council and Swiss.tech, and Swiss Bankers Association.
