One figure speaks for itself: emissions fell from more than 1,600 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2017 to around 1,100 tonnes in 2024, a reduction of 33%. This substantial decrease is primarily due to the gradual replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems with district heating and heat pumps.
The decline is most evident in the case of heating oil and natural gas. While they accounted for over 1,230 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2017, making them the ZHAW’s most significant source of emissions, by 2024 they were responsible for just under 260 tonnes. This represents a reduction of almost 80% and shows that the chosen reduction strategy is delivering results.
What the data also shows
The share of emissions attributable to district heating has increased since 2017. This is due to the proportion of fossil fuels that remains part of district-heating systems, depending on the energy mix used for generation. Switching from oil to district heating significantly reduces emissions, but does not eliminate them entirely.
When the last fossil-fuel heating systems at the ZHAW will be replaced depends on building conditions, cantonal regulations and the available alternatives – factors that the ZHAW cannot control entirely on its own and can only address in coordination with the Canton of Zurich.
Aaron Ehrat
Operational Sustainability Manager, ZHAW sustainable, President's Office
“Replacing heating systems can only be achieved through close cooperation with the Canton and the respective property owners. At the same time, we can all help to further reduce emissions through conscious behaviour and the targeted management of energy consumption.”
The next challenge is already waiting
Alongside the issue of heating, a second challenge is emerging, one that concerns all energy-intensive organisations: electricity is generally becoming scarcer. Both the use of heat pumps and the expansion of AI infrastructure, as well as ongoing digitalisation, are contributing to this shortage.
An initial response came through the 2023 energy-saving campaign on gemeinsam.zhaw.ch (only in German), which focussed on three parallel levers: raising awareness, encouraging behavioural change and optimising technology. This approach is complemented by decentralised in-house energy production: the agrivoltaic installation serves as an example of how solar energy can be generated directly both on and around buildings.
