Zurich’s municipal energy policy was published in June 2016 and it defines certain objectives. Based on energy and climate protection laws of the federal government and the Canton of Zurich, they reflect the targets of the 2000-Watt Society as set out in the Municipal Code. Priorities are: (1) sufficiency, which means reducing the demand for energy-relevant goods and services; (2) efficient energy use through the reduction in the consumption of energy by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, processes and devices, and in the area of mobility and (3) energy source selection in line with objectives.

The city of Zurich set a goal to be a 2000-Watt Society, which refers to the continuous rate of power consumption and means that each resident has an average two kilowatt hours (kWh) per hour at their disposal to cover their entire energy requirements – such as accommodation, food and mobility. The city’s 2000-watt strategy did not include quantitative targets and it was not linked to the operative yearly energy plans of the city departments.

The Energy Master Plan defines quantitative targets for the main parameters of the 2000-Watt Society: primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The definition these quantitative targets is derived from the political mandate set out in the Municipal Code, namely to reduce energy consumption per resident to 2000 watts continuous consumption and CO2 emissions to one tonne per year. 

Intermediate targets for 2020 and 2035 have been defined to provide a degree of control over the fulfilling of goals, in that they make it possible to evaluate the success of current measures.

The Energy Master Plan outlines the associated quality targets and implementation tasks in five areas of action: (1) settlement development; (2) energy supply; (3) buildings; (4) mobility and (5) consumption. In this it builds on existing strategic foundations and serves as a structure for the Energy Action Plans of the departments and associated organisations. Thus the Energy Master Plan ensures a strategic connection between long-term 2000-Watt objectives of the Municipal Code and the annual Energy Action Plans.

The Action Plans of the individual departments and participating organisations constitute the main tool for implementing the Energy Master Plan and comprise various energy measures that have been defined to fulfil the implementation tasks. As part of those implementation tasks for instance, work-related travel needs to follow the principles of sufficiency, efficiency and consistency. Work-related travel is conducted primarily by public transport, by bicycle and on foot. Where airline travel is unavoidable, the CO 2 emissions are offset. Reports are submitted on journeys made by air

The departments/organisations and the steering group work together closely to define the contents of the Action Plans and monitor their implementation. The measures are updated based on reviews that are usually held annually, which also serve to harmonise the different departments’ internal strategies and objectives. The effectiveness of measures is compared to the objectives and tasks of the Energy Master Plan, and adjustments and corrections are applied as necessary. Action Plans are signed off annually by the heads of departments (or the participating organisations) and the energy commissioner. 

The Energy Master Plan is reviewed, updated and approved by the City Council every four years. At the same time it is harmonised with other energy-relevant policies of the City Council.

Photo retrieved from the Energy Masterplan's factsheet