---
title: "ETH Zurich, Switzerland, launches ETH Net Zero Programme; 2030: 50% direct/indirect, 20% Scope 3."
sdDatePublished: "2026-06-16T13:27:00Z"
source: "https://ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/main/eth-zurich/nachhaltigkeit/05_netzero/2026_ETH_NetZero_Brochure_EN.pdf"
topics:
  - name: "sustainability"
    identifier: "medtop:20001374"
  - name: "environmental policy"
    identifier: "medtop:20000423"
  - name: "renewable energy"
    identifier: "medtop:20000257"
  - name: "scientific institution"
    identifier: "medtop:20000741"
  - name: "college and university"
    identifier: "medtop:20000405"
locations:
  - "Lugano"
  - "Zürich"
---


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
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.
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.
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h
/
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e
t
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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