Industrial ecology in Geneva

Industrial ecology in Geneva

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The Geneva economy is today prosperous and successful. Despite the dominance of the tertiary sector, industry and agriculture are very much present. But this economic metabolism has a weakness because it is highly dependant on imported resources owing to its small surface area.

To meet the resulting challenges, Geneva's economic stakeholders have developed several projects andinitiatives aiming to make the economy of the Canton more robust, less dependent on fossil fuels and more respectful of the environment, by repeatedly applying the concept of industrial ecology.

Industrial ecology aims to change the economic system, which is unsustainable in its current form, to make it viable in the long term and compatible with the normal functioning of natural ecosystems. In practice, this involves using resources much more efficiently. The concept of industrial ecology is a very broad one. It sometimes appears under different names but the basic idea remains roughly the same. More definitions in the "Petit lexique de l'écologie industrielle".

This impetus is geared towards bringing projects to fruition by identifying goals and opportunitiesspecific to the Geneva area that lead to the implementation of initiatives in the field of resource economics involving public and private stakeholders.

Geneva was the first Swiss canton to have introduced industrial ecology explicitly into its public policy:

 

1996

Initial thinking about the institutional framework which would facilitate sustainable resource management initiatives.

2001

First incorporation in law of the State's obligation to work towards sustainable development. Provision is made for aworking group, called Ecosite, with the aim of implementing industrial ecology.

2002 - 2010

Ecosite works towards identifying potential and implementing industrial ecology activities in the area. The working group carries out  studies and releases publications, implements communication actions and consolidatesthe first industrial ecology projects (particularly with EcomatGe).

2010 - 2012

Incorporation of the principles of industrial ecology into the Loi cantonale sur l’énergie (cantonal energy law) in 2010 and the Geneva Constitution in 2012.

Challenges and opportunities

 

Fifteen years of progress on industrial ecology in Geneva have helped to identify challenges and opportunities in connection with the metabolism of Geneva's economic activities and resource management in Geneva.

More innovation

The innovation potential provided by the collaborative economy and cleantech is considerable. Industrial symbioses - or more broadly collaborations between companies - are lever to develop a Geneva economy for tomorrow that produces better and with less environmental impact.

 

Less space

Enhancing the living and production environment within a small area: here is a major and very topical challenge that invites people to rethink production sites, to consider more of a mix between housing and activities and between secondary and tertiary sectors, and to pool infrastructure and services. The recent revision of the loi du l’aménagement du territoire (land development law) and the plan directeur cantonal 2030 (cantonal master plan 2030) are clearly moving in that direction.

 

Motivated people

The institutional and legal framework actively supports the emergence of industrial ecology projects. In view of these developments, Geneva's economic fabric can draw support from key public bodies such as the Foundation for industrial land (Fondation pour les terrains industriels -FTI), the Cantonal energy board (Office cantonal de l’énergie - OCEN), the Office for promotion of industries and technologies (Office de Promotion des Industries et des Technologies -OPI) and the Industrial services of Geneva (Services industriels de Genève - SIG). In particular, the Ecoparc strategy currently deployed by the FTI is a catalyst for collaborations between companies for and innovative projects in industrial zones. More information on "Les acteurs de l'écosystème économique genevois (Stakeholders in the Geneva economic ecosystem)".

 

Limited resources

How can we increaseeco-efficiency in the use of our valuable resources which are of limited availability? Genie.ch aims to stimulate the collective intelligence of its members to answer this question, in particular concerning the following key resources:

  • Energy : Major energy issues, with a potential for recovering industrial waste heat, energy efficiency initiatives (with energy savings into the bargain) and the determination to develop renewable energy.
  • Building materials: A predicted shortage of raw materials in the building materials sector (at the current rate of extraction, gravel reserves will be exhausted in Geneva within thirty years or so) and landfills are becoming clogged by inert waste and rubble in Geneva.
  • Metals : Highly dependent on imported metals and the potential emergence of urban mines, i.e. the metal deposits contained in our buildings, our infrastructure and even in our rubbish tips!
  • Food : Low food independence, estimated at only 20% in 2010, necessitating promotion of local produce for consumers and the development of local distribution channels.
  • Water : Requires more rational use of water and care with water quality. In Geneva, nearly 80 million m3 of waste water are treated each year, involving setting up and maintaining a substantial infrastructure and considerable energy expenditure.

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