Sustainability
Sustainable development
Eawag carries out its research activities in accordance with the principle of sustainable development and is committed to the socially, economically and environmentally responsible management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
Environment and Energy
Eawag attaches great importance to eco-management. The Eco-Team is responsible for sustainable management of energy, consumables and other resources. It provides support and encouragement at all levels to ensure environmentally sound behaviour at Eawag. The Eco-Team supports the implementation of measures to achieve Eawag’s energy goals: all staff travel is to be carbon-neutral, and electricity and heating requirements are to be progressively met by renewable energy (electricity 100% renewable by 2010). Other Eco‑Team initiatives include near-natural landscaping, organic produce at the staff canteen, incentive schemes promoting the use of public transport or cycling and carbon offsetting for unavoidable air travel.
Forum Chriesbach – sustainability in public sector construction
The new Eawag headquarters – Forum Chriesbach – has set new standards in sustainable construction. The administration and research building, opened in 2006, has no conventional heating or cooling systems in the office areas, and its heating energy requirements are extremely low. A rooftop photovoltaic system and the purchase of naturemade star green power ensure that electricity generation and supplies are renewable and environmentally sound. The investments in energy efficiency are more than offset by lower operating costs.
Aquatikum
Current and future research activities require an increased amount of space for research equipment in the fields of drinking water and aquatic ecology. These needs were met in 2014 with the Aquatikum construction project – an extension and conversion of the old experimental facility according to Minergie-P-Eco standards.
Rehabilitation of the Chriesbach
The Chriesbach in Dübendorf, which has been heavily built up over this past century, is now returning to a more natural state in its lowest section, down to the point where it flows into the River Glatt. The rehabilitation will not only benefit animals and plants but also people looking for somewhere to spend relaxing leisure time. Eawag is using the improvement project to integrate its “own stream” more fully with its educational and research activities. The project is being managed by the Canton of Zurich (Department for Waste, Water, Energy and Air – AWEL). Eawag, along with the town of Dübendorf, the Swiss Government and EWZ’s Naturemade Star Fund are supporting the project through substantial contributions. ·