Chinese Delegation to visit Switzerland on invitation of the SDC within the Frame of the “Low Carbon Cities” Initiative

The SDC has been supporting the initiative “Low Carbon Cities China” within the frame of its global programme on climate change since 2010. Unfolding in a partnership with five Chinese cities, the initiative seeks to set up an energy management system based on the Swiss “Energy City” model and the European equivalent, the “European Energy Award”, by means of knowledge sharing and technical support.  

The city of Dezhou (eastern China) is committed to the development of renewable energies, and particularly interested in Switzerland’s experience. In fact, Dezhou is a research centre and a hub of the solar industry. Its numerous accomplishments in this domain have earned it a reputation as China’s “Sun City” and as a model city for the use of renewable energies in buildings. During its three-day from 4 to 6 September 2011, the Chinese delegation will visit three Swiss “Energy Cities”, i.e., Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne.  

While in Lausanne, the delegation will attend a presentation on the various actions that have enabled the city to pride itself on the “Energy City” label since 1996 and the “European Energy Award Gold” since 2004. Lausanne will also present the “SméO” tool, co-developed with the Canton of Vaud, which is intended to evaluate the sustainability of the future éco-quarter (on the high ground overlooking Lausanne) which is being constructed as part of the Metamorphosis project. In 2011, this tool also became the Swiss national tool for evaluating sustainable quarters.  

Lausanne has been maintaining regular relations with China for several years, particularly in the domain of sustainable development. In 2010, in addition to the city’s participation at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, some fifteen high-level groups travelled to the capital of the Canton of Vaud on official visits.

Within the context of cooperation between Switzerland and China in the domain of climate policy, a Chinese delegation paid a visit to Switzerland from 14 to 21 August of this year. China is currently in the process of formulating a draft law on the climate and has invited Switzerland, via the SDC, to participate in the process. During their week-long visit, representatives of parliament, the academia, as well as both the private and public sectors presented Switzerland’s experiences in the climate domain to their Chinese counterparts.

Information for the media:  

On Monday, 5 September 2011, journalists are invited to meet with the representatives of the Chinese delegation from 13:30 to 14:45, in the Salle du Conseil communal, Hôtel de Ville, place de la Palud 2, Lausanne.

For more information:  
Information FDFA
+41 (0)31 322 31 53

Further information:

Chinese cities take the lead on climate change
Media release on the visit of a Chinese delegation to Switzerland from 14 to 21 August 2011: Swiss climate policy under close examination by China
The SDC’s commitment in the domain of climate change
Media release by the city of Lausanne (fr)

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