Canton and City of Geneva

Canton of Geneva

The State Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and adopted the new revision of the Cantonal Climate Plan in June 2021.

The Canton has asserted its intention to drastically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels in favour of renewable and local energy. This global ecological transition aims to provide a more sustainable and resilient environment for future generations through the Canton’s energy transition strategy which defines the strategic axes and measures to be implemented in order to achieve the global objectives set for 2030:

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions:

• 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 (vs. 40% according to the 1^st generation Cantonal Climate Plan).
  
• Goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 (2000-watt society: average consumption per year and per person).

Adaptation to climate change.

The Cantonal Sustainable Development Concept 2030 is the strategic document that defines the Canton’s decisions and strategy in terms of sustainable development up to 2030.
It provides a global vision of the integration of sustainable development within the State, allows the convergence of public policies towards sustainable development and concerns all areas of public action.

It is structured around 7 areas of action representing the key themes of sustainable development:

• Energy & Buildings 
• Mobility
• Consumer goods
• Land use planning
• Healthcare
• Natural areas/Biodiversity 
• Fostering change and supporting stakeholders

City of Geneva

Furthermore, the Agenda 21 – Sustainable City department is responsible for the city’s sustainable development policy. Its activities are based on four axes:

• Geneva Sustainable City: implementation, monitoring and communication of the municipal sustainable development strategy and secretariat of the G’innove programme.
  
  
• Local and sustainable economy: promotion of the local economic fabric, with a focus on a sustainable economy, particularly in the food, reuse and repair sectors, and on entrepreneurship geared towards ecological and social transition.
  
  
• Equality and diversity: promoting equality between all residents, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or origin. The service also promotes the integration of all communities present in Geneva.
  
  
• Delegation Geneva – Supportive City: active collaboration at an international level to finance development and humanitarian aid projects.
  
  In addition, the department is responsible for assessing the municipality’s sustainability through the Cercle Indicateurs and offers residents various ways to participate in the sustainable development of their area.