Swiss green economy's fastest growing area is construction, says WWF (photo, ©2011 iStockphoto)
BERN, SWITZERLAND – The green economy is growing at twice the rate of the rest of the economy in Switzerland, figures published Tuesday 21 June by WWF Switzerland show. The green economy accounts for turnover of CHF29 billion and 116,000 jobs. It is expected to add another 53,000 jobs by 2020, with turnover reaching CHF57b.
The figures, compared to 2001, show an annual growth rate of 6.3 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for the Swiss economy as a whole in the past 10 years, according to “Environmental markets in Switzerland – outlook for the economy and jobs”, a report issued by the WWF training centre. “This level of growth requires developing matching environmental competences in professional fields,” says Helene Sironi, head of continuing education for the WWF.
The numbers look even more impressive, says the organization, when federal figures from a study on the Cleantech economy are added: CHF49b in turnover and 260,000 jobs, or 6.2 percent of the Swiss labour market.
The fastest growing green area is environmental construction, at 47 percent a year. Sustainable mobility is one of the weaker areas, growing at only 3 percent a year.
Report summary in French, WWF (3.9MB pdf)
The Swiss ate a little less chocolate in 2009.
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – You know the economy is in trouble when the Swiss cut back on their chocolate, and they did, in 2009: consumption fell by 700 grams per person. That’s the equivalent of seven of those 100 gram tablets for which the Swiss are particularly famous outside the country, the kind that fit neatly into the pocket of a ski jacket or backpack for Alpine and lakeside trips. The one growth area, up 3 percent, was small chocolate bars.
Domestic sales fell by 6.9 percent, says Chocosuisse, to 68,375 tons. An extended warmer than usual summer and a fall in the number of tourists played roles, but the Swiss were “cautious” and bought less chocolate, and cheaper products.
Domestic consumption was nevertheless 11.7kg per person, powdered chocolate and cocoa excluded, based on overall consumption of 91,330 tons of chocolate. Imports rose to one-third of total chocolate consumed: most imported chocolate is low-price products.
Chocosuisse, which is the association of the country’s 18 largest chocolate manufacturers issued its figures for 2009 Wednesday morning 10 February.
Domestic and export sales were both down in 2009, the first time in six years that chocolate-makers did not sell more than the previous year.
Roche head office, Basel
Basel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Pharmaceutical multinational Roche says its turnover fell by 22 percent in 2009 compared to 2008 due to charges linked to its purchase of US company Genentech. Operating profits rose by 14 percent before the exceptional charges, however, and the company had record sales, up 10 percent to CHF49.1 billion.
Basel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Pharmaceutical giant Novartis saw net sales grow 8 percent in local currencies, but slip 2 percent in US dollars in the first six months of 2009. Exchange rates had significant impact on profits, which fell by 12 percent to CHF4.32 billion, compared to the same period in 2008. Company CEO Daniel Vasella notes in the company’s press release on results that the company expects to “continue record underlying results in constant currencies.”
Geneva,Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Cointrin International Airport in Geneva shows no signs of suffering from the global economic downturn, with 2008 results showing a record year in terms of profits. The airport’s newly released figures show profits up 17 percent to CHF61 million, with turnover up 7 percent to CH300 million. The airport’s income was nearly evenly divided between flight-related services such as passenger income and other sources such as parking fees, 49.2 and 50.3 respectively.
