ETH Zurich, Switzerland, launches ETH Net Zero Programme; 2030: 50% direct/indirect, 20% Scope 3.

ETH Zurich, Switzerland, launches ETH Net Zero Programme; 2030: 50% direct/indirect, 20% Scope 3.

2026_ETH_NetZero_Brochure_EN

Sustainability ETH Net Zero Programme Towards a climate-friendly university

2 3 ETH Net Zero Programme  ETH Net Zero Programme  The programme-based nature of “ETH Net Zero” takes into ac- count the statutory mandate, the breadth of the subject matter, the technical complexity and the expectations of the ETH community. It enables strategic coordination and prioritisation of key levers and strengthens the links between the executive board domains, the departments and existing committee and participation struc- tures. Institutional anchoring of the Net Zero Programme The programme is underpinned by a clearly structured govern- ance. The programme steering committee comprises eleven members and brings together representatives from the seven executive board domains, as well as one representative each from the student body and the professorial staff. It is supplemented by a sounding board, currently comprising 17 members from the ETH community, which contributes additional perspectives from professors, staff, doctoral candidates, students and alumni. A shared learning process towards net zero At the heart of “ETH Net Zero” are transformative projects – each initiative reflects the programme’s DNA and concretely imple- ments the goals of emissions reduction, innovation and institu- tional transformation. The programme management coordinates these projects, consolidating reporting, scheduling, budgeting, risk management and committee work, thereby ensuring coherent and effective implementation. Over the past two years, a steering structure has thus emerged that leverages existing responsibilities to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the measures. “ETH Net Zero” is thus evolving into a shared process of learning and change that actively involves the entire institution. 2030 milestone: Targeted reduction of specific emissions The programme’s ambition is closely linked to ETH’s core mission: as a scientific institution, educational establishment and operator of complex infrastructure, it takes responsibility for its own op- erations and thereby plays a key role in the decarbonisation and transformation of society and the economy. A key milestone is the 2030 interim target: By then, direct emis- sions, indirect emissions from energy use and emissions from business travel are to be reduced by 50 per cent. For emissions from supply chains (Scope 3), a reduction of 20% is aspired. These targets are being pursued within a regulatory environment that is constantly evolving. TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER ON THE PATH TO NET ZERO “ETH Zurich understands climate protection as a shared responsibility, carried by staff, researchers, and students with diverse roles and perspectives.” Prof. Dr. Ulrich Weidmann Vice President for Infrastructure and Sustainability, ETH Zurich The path to net zero is a process that requires decisions, high- lights trade-offs and brings about changes in everyday life. A nuanced approach is essential to developing effective and sus- tainable solutions. Working together for net zero – this is not merely a technical or financial endeavour: it is also a matter of collaboration. This is reflected in decisions, in projects, and in ideas. ETH Zurich’s pioneering spirit is at the heart of this transformation. The path to net zero requires change – and begins with an aware- ness of self-efficacy within the organisational fabric of our excit- ing ETH universe. ETH Zurich views climate protection as an integral part of its institutional mission. As a public university and part of the decentralised federal administration, it is legally obliged to reduce its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 at the latest. Furthermore, in line with the exemplary role established in the Climate Protection and Innovation Act, it aims to achieve a net-zero emissions balance in all relevant emission sectors by 2040. Against this backdrop, ETH Zurich launched the ETH Net Zero Programme in 2024 – not as a shortterm response to regulatory requirements, but as an expression of its sense of identity as an institution that generates knowledge, assumes responsibility and actively shapes societal transformation.

4 5 ETH Net Zero Programme  ETH Net Zero Programme  Sustainability & ethics in education With dedicated project management and secure funding, the project is de- livering its first concrete outputs: sus- tainability and ethics lenses on the ETH Competence Grid, an Innovedum call to fund relevant teaching projects, and a growing collection of teaching examples from ETH departments and ENHANCE+ partner universities – and much more is in the pipeline. Communication & community engagement The project focuses on engaging com- munication that highlights the targets of “ETH Net Zero” and actively supports in- stitutional change. This utilises internal news, newsletters, the ETH Sustainability website and an ETH-wide Net Zero section. This is complemented by a style guide and consistent branding. A communication strategy running until 2030 lays the foun- dation for targeted campaign waves and strategic messaging. This brings sustain- ability to life and strengthens the active involvement of the entire institution. The establishment of the programme structure, together with the introduction of a standardised reporting and controlling tool, provide a clear overview of measures, costs, savings and emissions impacts; this makes it possible to compare and prioritise the basis for decision-making. The programme enjoys high visibility within ETH – as does its integration with existing processes and responsibilities. using viboo – with expected savings of 20 to 40 per cent. Low-emission business travel This transformative project aims to signif- icantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from business-related travel at ETH Zurich by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040. This includes in particular air travel, travel by public transport (e.g. train, bus, tram), as well as journeys using motorized individ- ual transport (e.g. private cars, taxis, or rental cars). To this end, incentives are created for more climate-friendly travel decisions, and targeted measures are sup- ported to reduce emissions where travel continues to take place. Low-emission procurement A wide-ranging supplier survey and analy- sis shed light on the maturity of CO₂ man- agement and identified emission hotspots. The planned measures for providing com- pany- and procurement-related CO₂ data are ambitious. Harmonised environmen- tal award criteria are now systematically incorporated into procurement templates, and their application is recorded via SAP. The procurement of sustainable products is promoted on the ETHIS platform. Low-emission infrastructure ETH’s construction activities represent the most challenging – and most impor- tant – part of the journey towards net zero. Changes are becoming visible through the integration of Real Estate Management and specific initiatives on space efficiency, the future of work, and the HIL Living Lab. Furthermore, the updated building regu- lations, with a focus on sustainable con- struction, form the binding framework for ETH Zurich’s client- and developer-specific From an emissions perspective, 2025 saw a reduction of around 14 per cent compared with the previous year for the first time. This development is attributa- ble, among other things, to a reduced pro- curement volume, less air travel and the completion of emission-intensive major construction projects. However, due to up- coming construction projects, a renewed increase in emissions is to be expected. The annual ETH Net Zero Day offers a recurring opportunity to highlight and assess progress, and to experience the transformation process. Decarbonised campus Implementation plans are now in place for almost all areas; the greatest reduction in emissions will come from the fossil-free heat supply at Hönggerberg. With a few targeted measures, the buildings will be heated almost exclusively using waste heat from processes and via heat pumps. Further progress has been made in optimising the steam generators at the HPL building. Energy efficiency & renewables The expansion of photovoltaic systems is progressing – preliminary designs for the LCA (Lugano), FST, EHA, EHB (Lindau) and HCP (Hönggerberg) buildings have been completed, and the PV modules will be in- stalled this year. Furthermore, in collab- oration with partners USZ, UZH, SBB and Energie 360°, a lake water pipeline will be commissioned in 2037 to provide en- vironmentally friendly air conditioning for the city campus. In addition, the executive board has adopted the hot water strategy, and a pilot project for predictive heating control is underway in the ETZ building requirements and apply to all construction projects. Scope 3 exploration Sustainability considerations are being incorporated into catering contracts, and a comprehensive standard for ETH gas- tronomy is being developed. The label for sustainable and inclusive events – award- ed in gold or silver at over 60 ETH events since the end of 2024 – highlights more cli- mate-friendly event organisation. Green- Labs supports laboratories in their sus- tainability transformation through central measures and a certification scheme. Emission reporting Pilot projects aimed at more accurately capturing emissions from procurement, along with the further development of methodologies and system boundaries, enhance the transparency, comparability and robustness of the carbon accounting. Net zero living labs Through the “real-world laboratory” ap- proach, which is enshrined in its institu- tional priorities, ETH aims to use its cam- puses as fields for experimentation and learning. Teaching, research and opera- tions are closely interlinked, and solutions are developed, tested and implemented under realworld conditions. The aim is to translate scientific findings directly into practice and to feed results from oper- ational activities back into teaching and research processes. A working group with broad participation has developed a real-world laboratory concept – and the Vice-Presidencies for Infrastructure and Sustainability and Research are now driv- ing its implementation forward. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS w w w . e t h z . c h / n e t

z e r o Direct Emissions – Scope 1 Indirect Emissions – Scope 2 Indirect Emissions – Scope 3 (Business Travel) Indirect Emissions – Scope 3 (Rest) Main sources of ETH Zurich greenhouse gas emissions 2025, tCO2eq (as of 16.04.2026) 2,699 Indirect emissions from purchased energy 6,735 Direct emissions from ETH operations (heating, coolants, vehicle fleet, etc.) 10,422 Emissions from business travel 29,500 Further categories from Scope 3 (e.g., gastronomy, commuting traffic) 12,500 ICT hard- and software 15,500 Building operations and maintenance 18,000 Scientific apparatus, machines and tools 26,500 Laboratory supplies 32,000 Real estate and infrastructure Approximately 153,000 tCO2eq across Scopes 1–3 Disclaimer: Scope 3 emissions were analyzed once in 2017 and thus assumed constant until 2023. Data for 2030/2040 is extrapolated to reach the targets. 2006 2012 2017 2020 2025 2030 2040 210,000 180,000 150,000 120,000 90,000 60,000 30,000 0 “Unavoidable” emissions will be neutralized … Scope 3 – Unavoidable Scope 3 – Rest Scope 3 – Business travel Scope 2 Scope 1 Neutralization ETH net zero reduction path 2030 and 2040 Scope 3 not assessed before (and after) 2017 apart from business travel ETH greenhouse gas emissions, t CO2eq Strive for net zero by 2040 Scope 1, 2 and business travel: – 50 % from 2006 to 2030 (As of 2025 21% remaining) Scope 3: At least –20 % by 2030

6 ETH Net Zero Programme  TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS This projec