In Switzerland, Swiss Life has set itself the goal of reducing its overall energy consumption by 15% between 2000 and 2010. The aim is to increase energy efficiency at its Zurich offices by at least 1.5% each year and to consistently lower its energy consumption and emissions. Swiss Life set itself these goals in connection with its membership of the Zurich Energy Model.

Individual measures include, among others:

• optimising operating times for heating, ventilation and lighting
• waste separation
• use of rain and lake water for roof cooling and sanitary facilities
• taking into account environmental concerns when procuring IT systems

Great attention was paid to environmental issues during the renovation of the Swiss Life Head Office in Zurich, which was completed in 2006. For instance, MINERGIE® principles and ecological criteria were observed when planning the structural features and selecting the building materials.

In July 2008 Swiss Life and ten other Swiss companies set up the Swiss Climate Foundation (Klimastiftung Schweiz). This welfare foundation supports energy efficiency enhancement and climate protection measures in small and medium-sized companies (SME) in Switzerland. The foundation is financed by the refunds of the carbon dioxide duties charged on the fuels of the partner companies.