Support Programme for Climate-friendly Greenhouse Heating in Switzerland

A large, modern greenhouse with rows of green plants in pots under a glass roof.

Project type: Biomass , Energy Efficiency

Project location: Switzerland

Project status: In operation, exclusive

Annual emission reduction of the whole project: 10'000 t CO2e

This climate protection programme promotes switching from greenhouse heating with fossil fuels to heat generation with renewable resources. The goal of the funding programme is sustainable plant production through the reduction of carbon emissions due to the greenhouse heating. Greenhouse businesses in Switzerland that register their planned conversion project with the funding programme by the end of 2027 can benefit.

Rainwater basin as storage for 1'800 cubic meters of rainwater for the irrigation of salads. Photo: Forster Gruppe

1'600 kilowatts wood heating system in a greenhouse at BioLand Agrarprodukte in Steinmaur ZH. Photo: Daniel Meier

Ornamental plant production at the Ernst Meier AG greenhouse operation in Tann ZH. Photo: Andrea Wismer

On a total area of more than one hectare, various ornamental plants, herbs and vegetables are cultivated in the greenhouses. Photo: Andrea Wismer

Many industrial greenhouses in Switzerland extend their growing season by heating with fossil fuels, such as natural gas, heating fuel or propane. This climate protection programme promotes the replacement of environmentally harmful fuels with wood, heat pumps, or by connecting these technologies to a combined heating system. Through the financial support of greenhouse operations, the programme seeks to lower the high investment threshold for renewable heating systems. By reducing the use of fossil fuels, the greenhouse gas emissions of Swiss greenhouses caused by heating will be lowered. The climate protection programme is managed by the Foundation myclimate and DM Energieberatung AG.

Where does the funding come from?

This climate protection programme has been made possible thanks to funding from the KliK Foundation. Go to our Info page to learn how the funding mechanism works for mandatory climate protection contributions.

Consulting services and funding

Accredited ProCalor© advisers help the greenhouse operators develop a concept and variation study as well as with the subsequent programme registration. The climate protection programme will contribute 75 and 50 per cent of the costs of the study when the renewable plant is commissioned in 2024 and 2025 respectively. After the new heating system is successfully commissioned, the annual FOEN/SFOE-certified CO₂ savings worth 115 francs per tonne of CO₂ can be sold. An average annual income of 30,000 francs per hectare can be expected by the end of 2030.

Register now!

Submit the registration form to myclimate at the latest before you sign a service or sales contract for a heating system based on renewable resource. The detailed acceptance criteria can be found on the registration form. The normal procedure for registering for the funding programme involves the following steps:

Request and mandate an accredited ProCalor© adviser to conducts a concept and variation study (see contacts below).
Programme registration: Complete and sign the registration form, and submit it to myclimate together with the required documentation.
After a provisional funding commitment, begin with detailed implementation planning and sign the funding contract between principal and myclimate.
Sign the service or sale contract for the corresponding investment and forward a copy to myclimate.
After successful commissioning, submit a copy of the commissioning report and the calibrated energy meter to myclimate.
Provide the required monitoring data annually in accordance with the funding contract and receive the funding.

Notes regarding sustainability

While the following point is not participation criteria for the support programme, we nevertheless strongly suggest that it be taken into consideration:

Natural refrigerants: So-called natural refrigerants are a new trend as they have little to no greenhouse gas potential if they happen to escape. These include carbon dioxide (R744, CO₂), hydrocarbons (propane R290, isobutane R600a) and ammonia (R717, NH₃). A list with efficient heat pumps and their refrigerants can be found under topten.ch. You often have to explicitly ask the company whether the device or system is offered with a natural refrigerant.