Klimaforum City of Zurich

Co-creating solutions for climate goals

The people of Zurich have set an ambitious climate target: by 2040, not only should direct emissions be reduced to net zero, but indirect emissions – such as those from food, travel and construction – should also decrease by 30%.

These goals can only be achieved through close collaboration between diverse stakeholders and the city administration. With the Klimaforum, the City of Zurich provides a platform for knowledge exchange and the joint development of solutions between experts from the public administration, innovative startups, representatives of civil society, as well as small businesses and large corporations.

Since 2022, we have been curating the Klimaforum on behalf of and in collaboration with the Environment and Health Protection Department (UGZ), organising events of various scales in the inspiring spaces of Impact Hub Zurich.

Our contribution & role

Designing impactful methodologies: In collaboration with experts from the city administration, we research and identify key levers and stakeholders across climate-relevant sectors, and develop tailored formats for exchange and innovation in events and workshops. We bring our expertise in climate action, circular economy and sustainability innovation.
Programme design and event organisation: Klimaforum events succeed through a balanced mix of creative atmosphere, inspiring keynote inputs, professionally facilitated innovation and exchange workshops, and the careful selection and invitation of the right participants from business, politics and academia. We leverage our facilitation expertise and activate our network to bring the right people together.
Programme design and event organisation: Klimaforum events succeed through a balanced mix of creative atmosphere, inspiring keynote inputs, professionally facilitated innovation and exchange workshops, and the careful selection and invitation of the right participants from business, politics and academia. We leverage our facilitation expertise and activate our network to bring the right people together.

Insights into our work

The Klimaforum thrives on the diversity of its participants and the practical relevance of the solutions developed. By focusing on real participation, we have implemented a wide range of formats.

Building bridges across sectors

We bring together actors actively shaping the transition – from innovative startups to public administration experts and large corporations. The Klimaforum creates the space needed to combine these perspectives and jointly work on key levers for emission reduction.

Focus on key action areas

Through thematic priorities such as climate-friendly construction, reducing flight emissions, or advancing the circular economy, we identify critical levers and bring the right stakeholders to the table.

Examples & highlights

These examples illustrate how dialogue leads to concrete solutions and new collaborations, showcasing the diversity of topics and formats through which we create impact.

From theory to the plate

At a Klimaforum on sustainable catering, catering companies worked together with their clients to develop methods for making menus both attractive and climate-friendly through creative communication and close collaboration.

Voices of the next generation

A particular highlight was the active involvement of a school class that co-moderated a large event. This reflects our commitment to integrating the perspectives of future generations into today’s climate dialogue.

Tackling flight emissions

Together with around 50 experts, the Klimaforum developed concrete strategies to reduce flight emissions in companies, inspired by best practices such as Swiss Re’s CO₂ budgeting approach. The focus was on further developing the “Business Travel” pilot project, building a user-friendly toolbox, and creating a roadmap for introducing internal carbon pricing.