Learning from the Environmental Pioneers

Over a century ago, the Swiss built a hydroelectric power plant at Lütschental on the river to generate electricity. Today, the Valais produces about 30% of the hydroelectric power in Switzerland and is a pioneer in this development.

Switzerland has, over the years, committed to sustainable policies to govern the use of natural resources. They incorporate Cleantech to implement various technologies, manufacturing processes, and services to help reduce emissions, recycling, renewable energy, water quality, and eco-friendly transport.

Many cities such as Zurich, Bern, and Geneva are also highly ranked for the quality of life mainly due to the contribution of environmental factors. In the cities, many water fountains flow with clean drinkable water, a unique feature. With the establishment of the Swisstainable program, many attractions, transports, hotels, and restaurants are also accredited to make it easy for visitors to seek out Swisstainable tours.

Green Educational Tour is developed by Kuoni Tumlare in conjunction with Switzerland Tourism for travel groups specifically to study and learn about the sustainable experience in Switzerland.

What Can You Learn from the Swiss?

The Green Educational Tour will bring you around via eco-friendly public transportation such as train, tram, eCar, and eCoach, and stay in some of the Swisstainable accredited hotels. However, to enrich the program, the tour also covers some facilities and systems to showcase how the Swiss tackle environmental challenges.

1. “Direct Air Capture” Technology

The current efforts to reduce carbon emissions are not enough to achieve our climate change goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C; Climeworks uses technology to remove CO2 from the air and put it deep underground. It is interesting to see how this is done and how they did it commercially on a large scale.

For more information visit https://climeworks.com.

2. Waste to Product

Freitag started three decades ago, transforming used truck tarps into bags, wallets, keyholders, and other accessories. Over the years, they have added more recycled materials like inner tubes, car safety belts, etc., to create fashionable accessories. They have even created a 100% biodegradable textile called F-ABRIC for their apparel line, all produced in Europe. Today, Freitag stands for innovation, creativity, and environmental awareness.

For more information visit https://www.freitag.ch.

3. Waste Management: “Waste Is Not Waste.”

In the city of St. Gallen, Entsorgung St. Gallen provides comprehensive guidelines to residents and has efficient structural flow and services in waste management and green waste collection followed by recycling. Waste is categorised, and the city collection timetable is meticulously planned to ensure proper disposal. The city also committed to the motto of “Save food, fight waste” to inform consumers about the issue of food waste and provide tips and knowledge to ease the situation.

For more information visit https://www.stadt.sg.ch.

4. Solar Ski-Lift and Hydropower

Solarskilift Tenna is the first ski lift in the world that produces solar power while transporting snow sports enthusiasts up the slope. The solar array on the ski lift can generate about 21% more electricity than a conventional rooftop array and produces 90,000 kWh per year. At Grimselwelt, 13 hydro power plants transform waterpower into electricity for one million people. These facilities show the symbiosis between nature and technology that offers an abundance of renewable energy to the people.

For more information visit https://solar-skilift.ch.

 

On top of these locations, the green educational journey continues to cover places like Parc Ela – the largest nature park in Switzerland to learn about nature protection; ETH Zurich, which is a campus going carbon neutral; Umwelt Arena, where over 100 organisations exhibit and showcase information and experiences on energy and environmental issues, and more. There are many Swisstainable facilities for an insightful Green Educational Tour.

There is much more everyone can learn from the Swiss in environmental protection and conservation. Please contact us for more information, and let us customise a memorable educational tour for you!

Our dedicated DMC travel experts can advise, and craft customised tour packages with complete destination management based on your customer's interests, preferences, or needs. We endeavour to deliver a memorable tour experience that your customers will cherish and treasure.