Swisstainable Guide — A Guide to Sustainable Travel in Switzerland
Majestic mountains, mysterious blue lakes, lush meadows, dense forests: Switzerland’s landscapes move every traveler who visits. Swisstainable is a way of traveling that aims to preserve them for today and for generations to come.
Edited by Pitch by Magazine
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
What Is Swisstainable?
Swisstainable is a sustainability program that aims for the sustainable development of Switzerland’s tourism industry and helps visitors travel the country in a sustainable way. Around 2,500 businesses currently take part across three levels of sustainability: committed, engaged, and leading. From natural advantages such as clean water and air to mobility, recycling systems, and nature protection policies, here are eight reasons Switzerland is bound to be a sustainable destination.
8 Reasons Switzerland Is a Sustainable Destination
Mobility
Every day, some 11,000 trains run on the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network, which stretches about 3,000 kilometers. More than 1.1 million passengers ride the trains daily. In Switzerland, even the smallest and most remote areas can be reached by public transportation.
Daily SBB trains: about 11,000
Daily train passengers: more than 1.1 million
Water
Switzerland is the source of major European rivers such as the Rhine, the Rhône, the Ticino, and the Inn, and holds 6 percent of the continent’s freshwater reserves, making it one of the most water-rich regions in Europe. Even in big cities, you can jump in for a swim at any time, a rare experience.
Share of Europe’s freshwater reserves: 6 percent
Nature Protection
Switzerland’s 20 nature parks cover one-seventh of the country’s land area (5,839 km²). This is thanks to the Forest Act, in force since 1876, which has protected the country’s forests from shrinking. Today, about 31 percent of Switzerland’s land is protected forest, and the figure continues to grow.
Share of land covered by nature parks: 1/7
Air
Since 1865, when the clean, clear air of the Davos mountains was recognized as beneficial to health, Switzerland has been known as a destination for pure-air resorts. Still proud of its excellent air quality today, Switzerland has some of the lowest levels of fine dust in Europe.
Food
Per capita consumption of organic food in Switzerland is far higher than anywhere else in the world. In 2023, annual per-person spending on organic food came to about 470 euros (roughly 700,000 won).
Annual per-person spending on organic food (2023): 470 euros
Recycling
Switzerland is a world leader in recycling and waste management. The recycling rate for PET bottles, in particular, is close to 90 percent.
PET bottle recycling rate: 90 percent
Accommodation
A growing number of accommodations in Switzerland practice sustainability in various ways, such as minimizing their environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and using organic ingredients. For example, more than 50 percent of the country’s roughly 50 youth hostels hold Swisstainable certification.
Swisstainable-certified accommodations: more than 50 percent
Social Responsibility
Switzerland continually supports local culture and helps keep it vibrant. It works to strengthen exchange between locals and visitors, and takes great care of travelers who can easily be overlooked, including people with disabilities. About 170 train stations have facilities for passengers with disabilities, and most public transportation, including cable cars, funiculars, and boats, is designed for easy access by wheelchairs and strollers.
Experiencing Swisstainable
Sustainable Cities
With clean air, abundant green space, and efficient, convenient public transportation, Swiss cities have no real rivals when it comes to sustainability. Get around by eco-friendly means such as bikes and trams, relax in city parks and along walking paths, and shop at local markets and stores that sell locally made products.
Nature Parks
Switzerland’s parks are precious resources that protect not only nature but also each region’s traditions, and they form the foundation of local economies. About 300,000 residents live in Swiss nature parks, and 1,700 locally made products carry the ‘Swiss Parks’ label. Experience each region’s distinctive traditions, taste local specialties, and enjoy the pure pleasures nature offers.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO World Heritage sites show the history of the planet and of humankind, and are also places where you can discover Switzerland’s identity. From the Aletsch Glacier to the Bellinzona fortresses, the Abbey of St. Gallen, the Old City of Bern, and the Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve, visit UNESCO sites that span Switzerland’s nature and cities.
Leisure & Activities
Outdoor activities are the best way to experience Swiss nature with your whole body. Use SwitzerlandMobility, a platform that links leisure activities across the country with public transportation, and try a wide range of activities: hiking trails, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoe trekking, and more.
Car-Free Destinations
Switzerland has several resort areas where cars are banned entirely. They are the ideal choice for anyone who wants perfect relaxation, free from traffic noise and exhaust. Stay in eco-friendly car-free villages and enjoy their relaxed atmosphere: Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn; Mürren, famous as a filming location for the James Bond 007 series; and Rigi, accessible by cogwheel train and cable car.