Swiss group offers reward to find wolf shooter
A Swiss animal protection organisation Thursday offered a reward to anyone who helps authorities track down a shooter who illegally killed a wolf in the Alpine country last week.
Environmental news and related issues
Switzerland
N-test legacy in stratosphere bigger than thought
Levels of radioactive plutonium in Earth's stratosphere from nuclear tests and accidents is higher than previously thought, but probably not dangerous to humans, scientists in Switzerland said Tuesday.
World Bank says no money for nuclear power
The World Bank and United Nations on Wednesday appealed for billions of dollars to provide electricity for the poorest nations but said there would be no investment in nuclear power.
2013 marked by ‘record sea level, weather extremes’
Sea levels this year posted a record high, making low-lying coastal populations ever more vulnerable to extreme weather like super-storm Haiyan, the UN said Wednesday.
Greenhouse gas in atmosphere hits new record: UN
The amount of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere hit a new record high in 2012, continuing an ever-faster rise that is driving climate change, the UN weather agency said Wednesday.
Switzerland leads in global energy ranking
Switzerland and a handful of countries in Europe led the way in a global ranking Tuesday of energy efficiency, access to resources and environmental sustainability.
Climate at five minutes to midnight: IPCC head
- Humanity has pushed the world's climate system to the brink, leaving itself only scant time to act, the head of the UN's group of climate scientists said on Monday.
Radioactivity found in Swiss lake near nuclear plant
Scientists have discovered a radioactive substance in sediment under a Swiss lake used for drinking water and situated near a nuclear plant, the Le Matin Dimanche weekly reported Sunday.
Past decade hottest on record, warming pace fastest: UN
The 21st century's first decade was the hottest on record, with temperatures rising at an unprecedented pace and weather extremes claiming over 370,000 lives, the United Nations said Wednesday.
Sharks, manta rays win global trade protection
Several shark species and the manta ray won international trade protection Monday in a move hailed by conservationists as a breakthrough in efforts to save them from being wiped out by overfishing.
Electric cars back into the shadows at Geneva car show
After being the starring act for several years, the electric car backed into the shadows at this year's International Geneva Motor Show as carmakers grow weary of waiting for sales to take off.
Goldman, Shell win Public Eye ‘shame’ awards at Davos
Campaigners at Davos on Thursday awarded their annual Public Eye shame awards to Goldman Sachs and Shell "for particularly glaring cases of companies' greed for profit and environmental sins".
Mercury treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries
Delegations from some 140 countries have agreed to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use of health-hazardous mercury, the Swiss foreign ministry said Saturday.
Illegal wildlife trade ‘threatens nations’ security’
Poaching and illegal trade in protected species like elephants, rhinos and tigers has boomed into a $19-billion-a-year industry that threatens security and stability in many countries, the World Wildlife Fund warned Wednesday.
Greenhouse gases rise to record levels in 2011: UN
The volume of greenhouse gases causing global warming rose to a new high last year, the UN World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday, warning it is becoming increasingly unlikely the world can limit rising temperatures to UN-backed targets.
UN agency calls for global action plan on drought
The worst effects of drought could be avoided if countries had a disaster management plan to confront the problem, the UN World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday.
Belgian nuclear chief ‘sceptical’ reactor can be restarted
The head of Belgium's federal agency for nuclear safety AFCN said on Friday he was "sceptical" that an ageing reactor closed over fears of cracks could be restarted.
Sun-powered plane returns home after historic flight
The Swiss sun-powered aircraft Solar Impulse landed back home in Switzerland late Tuesday after completing the final leg of its historic transcontinental flight.
Swiss nuclear safety watchdog gives stations the all-clear
Switzerland's four nuclear power stations are fit to withstand a major earthquake and pose no threat to the population and the environment, inspectors said on Monday.