How to become a 2000-Watt Society – Swiss and US efforts in environmental and climate policy
How to become a 2000-Watt Society – Swiss and US efforts in environmental and climate policy
In 2008 Zurich voters decided to become a 2000-Watts Society. The Swiss city’s citizens committed to reduce their yearly energy consumption from currently 6000 watts to 2000 watts per year by 2050. How is our generation going to achieve this ambitious goal? How can we make sure that future generations are able to enjoy a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and still enjoy the luxury of cutting edge architecture?
“Smarter Living – the 2000-Watts Society” the US- version of a fascinating travel exhibit, curated by the city of Zurich and sponsored by ThinkSwiss, is showcasing this exact vision. The exhibit presents the current state of sustainable buildings and construction. Six topics are presented by examples of twenty-seven different buildings and projects. Their diverse solutions seek to encourage architects, portfolio manager and investors to pursue the vision of a “2000-Watt Society.”
The exhibit found its way from Zurich to Cambridge thanks to the efforts of Cambridge Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, who fell in love with the exhibit during a study trip, sponsored by ThinkSwiss. Together with swissnex, she not only convinced the Swiss Government to produce an US version, but also brought the exhibit to the Cambridge Public Library for its inauguration. Residents enjoyed several guided tours by Swiss expert Heinrich Gugerli, Head of the Sustainable Building Group, City of Zurich, Switzerland.
During the city of Cambridge’s climate week, the activities around “Smarter Living” culminated in a highly anticipated expert workshop and an extremely well attended inauguration party with TED-Style pitches by local sustainable building experts.
Expert workshop “Smarter Living - Generating a New Understanding of Energy Efficiency as a Key to Sustainable Development. Could the 2000-Watt Society be a pathway for the US?"
Architects and experts in the field of green buildings gained insights into Switzerland efforts in sustainable design and construction practices. Together with twenty local experts, Swiss expert Heinrich Gugerli and Kurt Roth, Building Envelope Chair, Fraunhofer Institute engaged by moderator Chris Ebell, Science Councilor, Embassy of Switzerland, discussed whether a sustainable AND affordable building is an oxymoron. They asked what incentives structure (taxes, regulation, and policy) would support the most promising trends in sustainable architecture and why retrofits are a priority.
Joel McKellar, LEED AP BD+C, High Performance Building Specialist - Green Building Service, Harvard was truly inspired:” The conversations that occurred at the swissnex Boston event yesterday really helped to inform the way I’ll advocate for more sustainable practices in general and at Harvard specifically. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Minergie is achieving such high adoption rates in Switzerland.”
While the Swiss Building Energy Policy is a driving force toward energy efficiency and Minergie is highly accepted in Switzerland, the discussions surrounding why Minergie has been well adapted to improve similar systems such as LEED and Energy Star that are widely used in the US.
Smarter Living EXPO – What is Happening in your Neighborhood?
Later that night more than 200 invited guests joined the experts for the official inauguration of travelling exhibit at the Cambridge Public Library.
After an insightful introduction by Heinrich Gugerli, local speakers Stephanie Horowitz, Chin Lin and Philipp Parsons focused on three topics, featured in the exhibition (for more details check below). By highlighting local projects and their efforts towards reducing energy consumption in buildings, Zurich’s vision of becoming a 2000-Watts Society became very relevant for Cambridge residents.
Bill Bittinger, Board Director, Donella Meadows Institute was thrilled: ”Professionally, it was very informative and inspiring. And the orchestration was flawless: from the displays and apero to the presentations in the auditorium and finally the Swiss style reception.”
Info material
Expert Workshop:
- Heinrich Gugerli - City of Zurich, Switzerland: CV, Presentation, Pitch
- Kurt Roth – Fraunhofer Institute: CV, Presentation
Expo:
- Welcoming address by Henrietta Davis
- Stephanie Horowitz – ZeroEnergy Design: CV, Presentation, Pitch
- Chin Lin – HMFH Architects: CV, Presentation, Pitch
- Philip Parsons – Sasaki Associates: CV, Presentation, Pitch
