Swiss research institutes to merge to combat climate change
A solar-powered sensor measures rockfalls close to the Aletsch Glacier in the southern Valais region
Keystone / Dominic Steinmann
Two Swiss government-funded institutes specialising in the fields of water, snow and forests will be merged to focus on climate change and sustainability, it has been announced. No job cuts are expected.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
The ETH Board, which oversees the two bodies in question, intends to create a new institute in the area of the environment and sustainability, merging the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) in the medium term, it said in a statement on FridayExternal link.
“The objective of the new institute is to use its leading international research to find solutions for a sustainable future for society, and to develop Switzerland further as a leading research centre for the environment and sustainability,” it said.
The decision to create the so-called “Swiss Federal Institute of Technology for Environment and Sustainability” was taken at the end of September following discussions at the ETH Board over several years.
“Combining the strengths of WSL and Eawag under one roof and one management offers an opportunity to exploit synergies while also boosting international visibility and cooperation on content,” it stated.
No changes are planned at the current sites, to staff numbers (900) and key national tasks, the statement went on.
The federal ETH Domain comprises the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) and Lausanne (EPFL) – both of which are top-ranked in international surveys – as well as the four research institutes: the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).
More
More
ETH Zurich remains best university outside the UK and North America
This content was published on
Switzerland is the only nation outside Britain and North America to make it into the top 20 of the latest Times Higher Education university rankings.
Uri voters clear path for hotel and marina complex in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Voters in canton Uri in central Switzerland have rejected a Green Party initiative aimed at regulating the development of the lakeside site in Isleten.
Valais voters reject plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland have turned down a proposal for the region to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
ETH Zurich remains best university outside the UK and North America
This content was published on
Switzerland is the only nation outside Britain and North America to make it into the top 20 of the latest Times Higher Education university rankings.
Switzerland to become climate neutral by 2050, says government
This content was published on
Switzerland should become climate neutral by 2050, the Swiss government has declared. It has tightened its target based on new IPCC findings.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.