CarSharing annual balance 2016

In Zurich on 30 November 2008, it was approved by a 76 per cent majority that energy consumption should be reduced to 2000 watts of power per capita by 2050. The value in Switzerland is currently 6000 watts on average. The 2000-watt society has since been enshrined in the municipal code. "What is particularly special is how this is to be achieved," says economist Angelika Zahrnt (honorary chair of the environmental association BUND, former member of the Council for Sustainable Development and expert on the post-growth debate).

Zurich's city leaders explain that the 2000-watt society cannot be achieved through technical progress and more energy-efficient appliances alone. Progress also leads to the well-known rebound effect - increased efficiency often motivates consumers to consume more because of cost reductions. Often, more and larger appliances are then used and the savings are partially cancelled out. Even a switch to renewable energies alone does not help. According to the city of Zurich, "sufficiency is needed. That means using less energy, material and space and using resources more sparingly". As one of the few cities worldwide, Zurich is thus anchoring the question of what is the right measure in its policy.

Left:
www.stadt-zuerich.ch/...2000-watt_society.html

Keywords:
2000-watt society, Renewable, Climate protection, News Blog Europe (without DE), News Blog Switzerland, Quarters, Settlements, Sufficiency