Schaffhausen’s bold sustainability report reveals climate-neutral building and zero pesticides
Schaffhausen has released its latest environmental report, outlining progress in sustainability and climate action. The city is pushing ahead with plans to cut emissions, protect nature and adapt to extreme weather. A key focus is the redevelopment of the Stadthausgeviert area, where climate-neutral construction is now a priority.
The new report covers nine key areas: soil, nature, water, air, noise, energy, waste, transport and climate. It tracks trends, highlights challenges and sets out future steps to meet the city’s climate strategy. One major success has been the complete phase-out of synthetic chemical pesticides.
The document also introduces the circular economy as a new topic. Efforts are underway to reduce resource use early in production, such as reusing old roof tiles and incorporating recycled concrete in the Stadthausgeviert project. Around half of Schaffhausen’s trash has been recyclable for nearly a decade, showing long-term progress in waste management.
Transport patterns are shifting too. For about 15 years, nearly 30 percent of households have lived without a car. Meanwhile, demand for electricity at public charging stations has risen sharply, reflecting growing adoption of electric vehicles.
Biodiversity remains a focus, with assessments of forests, landscapes and waterways. The city aims to boost green spaces in urban areas to support wildlife and help residents cope with heat stress. Extreme weather adaptation is another priority, alongside cutting greenhouse gas emissions from climate change.
The report confirms Schaffhausen’s commitment to sustainability through concrete measures. The Stadthausgeviert redevelopment sets a standard for climate-neutral building, while ongoing efforts in waste, transport and biodiversity reinforce the city’s environmental goals. Future steps will build on these foundations to further reduce emissions and resource use.
