Google Switzerland is the new Main Partner of Sustainable Switzerland

Google is supporting entire industries with data-driven solutions for a sustainable transition. For example, the company is researching how aircraft could use AI technologies to emit fewer climate-damaging contrails in the future. This would be an important contribution to climate protection, as contrails cause up to 35% of the environmental pollution caused by air traffic. In a series of tests, pilots avoided altitudes during flights where contrails were more likely to occur. To do this, they used predictions that Google Research had determined from weather data and satellite images using artificial intelligence. The initial results are promising: they showed that the contrails could be reduced by 54 percent.

Google Switzerland is now joining the circle of main partners of Sustainable Switzerland, the sustainability initiative of the NZZ company. "No one can achieve sustainability alone," says Christine Antlanger-Winter, Country Director of Google Switzerland. Partnerships are therefore an important part of Google's sustainability strategy and are crucial to mastering the challenges. "This makes platforms such as Sustainable Switzerland, where stakeholders can come together and discuss solutions, all the more important. Technology holds enormous potential for the development of sustainable solutions that are socially and economically acceptable by creating added value beyond the pure sustainability aspect," says Christine Antlanger-Winter.

As with the other main partners, Sustainable Switzerland's partnership with Google Switzerland also comprises several key elements: Google Switzerland is a member of the Strategy Board, which steers the strategic direction of the initiative. In addition, Google Switzerland publishes its goals with regard to ESG criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the Sustainable Switzerland channels as examples of best practice. These are intended to inspire other companies and show how innovative technologies and sustainable business practices can be successfully combined.

Growing network

Google Switzerland will also participate in the Sustainable Switzerland Network, which is made up of existing partners such as BCG, BMW, Swisscom, ETH, EPFL and other large companies as well as over 100 SMEs. The network is also accessible to non-members via events. Google Switzerland participates in selected formats in this dialog between business, science and politics.

The Sustainable Switzerland network has expanded continuously over the past three years and now has over 150 partners and member companies. While the partners are strategically involved in the initiative in their areas, the member companies in the "Entrepreneur Club" are primarily active in the form of exchanging experiences. The latter takes place via various event formats organized by Sustainable Switzerland.