Zero Emissions Districts - Swiss experiences

Abstract

This booklet explores the pressing necessity for sustainable action in the face of global climate challenges and emphasizes the pivotal role of district-level development in achieving systemic and impactful solutions. Districts offer unique opportunities to address energy efficiency, mobility, resource management, and community well-being in a holistic and scalable manner, making them essential for progress toward zero-carbon emission goals. Through an in-depth analysis of Swiss district labels – Minergie, SNBS, 2000-Watt District – and the ZED China standard, the booklet identifies nine universal Sustainability Criteria. These criteria provide a structured framework to evaluate and guide sustainability efforts across diverse district-level projects, bridging Swiss and Chinese priorities. To test the applicability of this framework, a sustainability survey was eveloped and conducted in egards of the Chinese district projects. The survey highlights how these criteria are being implemented in the ground, showcasing successful measures while uncovering areas of ntapped potential. The findings offer valuable insights into practical strategies and stakeholder alignment, emphasizing opportunities for scaling up impactful actions. Finally, the booklet transitions into real-world applications, presenting three exemplary district projects in China – Wuxi Fund Park II, Jiading Future City in Shanghai, and the Yinyue Zero-Carbon Building in Beijing – and two innovative Swiss districts certified as 2000-Watt Districts. These case studies illustrate how sustainability principles are effectively applied in different contexts, providing inspiration for the global avancement of sustainable, vibrant and resilient urban communities.