Lots of energy on the LILIENBERG
The revised Energy Consumption Act (ENG) has been in force since July 1, 2020. Companies with an electricity consumption of more than 200 MWh per year are required to analyze their energy consumption and take reasonable measures to reduce consumption. This is also against the backdrop of increasing obligations to document greenhouse gas balances and define corresponding CO₂ reduction paths.
In his keynote speech, Cantonal Councillor Walter Schönholzer highlighted the implementation of the Thurgau energy concept and the resulting challenges. Moving away from oil and gas - decarbonization - and electricity from renewable sources means more security of supply for the economy and society, more independence from expensive energy imports, which ultimately leads to greater sustainability.
Added value remains in Thurgau
In view of the increasing electrification of processes, the potential of renewables in production - photovoltaics, geothermal energy, wind power and biomass - must be consistently expanded. This will keep the added value in Thurgau. According to Schönholzer, the cleanest and cheapest energy is that which is not consumed in the first place.
Andrea Paoli, Head of the Office of Energy, explained the enforcement of the GVA within the framework of the Energy Use Act § 14 and the Energy Use Ordinance § 22. This involves the obligation to optimize energy consumption within the bounds of what is economically reasonable. SMEs are required to state by the end of 2024 whether they wish to fulfill the obligations by means of a universal target agreement (UZV) with the federal government or by means of an energy consumption analysis (EVA) with the canton. The deadline for submitting a valid UZV or EVA is mid-2025.
In his presentation, Claudio Bock, consultant at the Energy Agency for Industry EnAW, illustrated the procedure for drawing up an UZV. He pointed out the possibilities of being able to benefit from exemptions from the CO₂ levy and/or reimbursement of the grid surcharge if certain requirements are met.
Net zero by 2050
Andreas Rothen, Managing Director of act Cleantech Agency Switzerland, provided information on the current federal framework conditions, in particular the Climate and Innovation Act (CIA). The Federal Act on Climate Protection Targets, Innovation and Strengthening Energy Security and the CO₂ Act, the Federal Act on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, increased the obligations of the economy to balance greenhouse gases. The focus of the two federal laws is net zero by 2050. They will have a lasting impact on our economy, society and politics and are expected to come into force on January 1, 2025.
Andreas Koch, Managing Director of KEEST, explained in detail the two possible ways (UZV or EVA) of implementing the GVA in practice. He went on to explain that the obligations for greenhouse gas accounting are primarily imposed by customers on suppliers in the supply chain, according to Koch.
Greenhouse gas accounting involves assessing the entire value chain in scopes 1, 2 and 3 with the aim of determining the company's carbon footprint and reducing the carbon footprint in absolute terms, in contrast to the GVA, where the aim is to achieve a relative increase - energy efficiency.
If a company is obliged by customers to formulate SBTi targets (science-based targets initiative), the interim target is extremely ambitious: reducing the CO₂ load throughout the company, including subsidiaries, by half by 2030. KEEST supports and accompanies SMEs in all these challenges as a ONE-STOP-SHOP, and does so neutrally because KEEST is not associated with specialist planners or engineering offices and can therefore "bring everything to the table", says Koch.
upply chains have the greatest impact on the climate
Pascal Freudenreich, CEO of Carbon Connect AG, explained the systematic calculation of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly and indirectly associated with a particular activity. The balance sheet is always the first step towards climate neutrality and the basis for a climate strategy with a corresponding reduction path. He impressively demonstrated that supply chains generally have a three to four times greater impact on the climate than local production.
On the podium, moderated by Christoph Lanter, entrepreneur Michaela Lüthi-Gamper, owner of Gamper Gemüsekulturen, a well-known producer of field-grown vegetables and chicory in particular, reported on her positive experiences with the KEEST in implementing the GVA and in greenhouse gas balancing.
She gave an impressive account of Migros' request to its suppliers to produce CO₂-free from 2026, otherwise delivery would no longer be possible. Andreas Koch and Pascal Freudenreich reported on the corresponding activities in cooperation with Gamper Gemüsekulturen.
The subsequent aperitif riche, offered by Lilienberg, was used for networking.
PHOTOS OF THE KEEST EVENING FLASH