Sustainability
Swisstainable statistics
WHAT MAKES SWITZERLAND SUCH A POPULAR CHOICE FOR SUSTAINABLE EVENTS ? CMW BREAKS DOWN THE FACTS
or organisers in Switzerland , embedding sustainable initiatives into an event is par for the course . The destination has a wide range of
F sustainable incentive offerings for groups , ranging from nature-based activities such as trekking and canoeing to restaurants that source food seasonably and locally . Sustainability is also built into the country ’ s infrastructure , and surroundings .
Clean water and blue skies
With its idyllic surroundings and famously clean air and water , the destination is a clear hub for sustainable activity .
6 % of the European continent ’ s freshwater reserves are found in Switzerland .
Switzerland is the source of several large rivers , including the Rhone , Rhine and Ticino .
Waste not want not
As of 2023 , Switzerland recycles almost
53 % of its created waste – one of the highest rates in Europe .
90 % of the paper acquired by Switzerland per annum comes from reused waste paper , with public collection points making it easy to recycle paper and cardboard .
People and places
Over 11,000
trains travel on the well-connected Swiss Federal Railway , allowing 1.1m passengers to travel sustainably per day .
99 % of the rail network ’ s 5,232 km is electrified , and 75 % of its power grid is hydroelectric .
The country has one of the lowest concentrations of particulate matter in Europe .
In 2020 , Switzerland had the highest consumption of organic products per capita worldwide .
20 Swiss parks cover a seventh of the country ’ s surface area .
Switzerland ’ s annual CO2 emissions per capita is low , measuring at between 4.6 metric tonnes between 1993-2011 in comparison to Germany ’ s 9-10 and the USA ’ s 18-19
More than 5,000 restaurants have joined Too Good to Go , a platform that connects users with discounted unsold food to combat food waste .
Legislation is in place to prevent the depletion of Switzerland ’ s forests , which cover 31 % of the country ( and climbing ).
30 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 127