Swiss start-up entrepreneur Heuberger
For him is. the green turn is not a cost monster – but a business case
Those who do not participate in the switch to renewable energies despite climate change usually have an easy excuse: too expensive! At the WEF, however, there are increasing numbers of voices claiming the exact opposite. Among them a successful Swiss start-up entrepreneur.
Published: 13 minutes ago
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Renat Heuberger advises companies on how to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Sarah FrattaroliDeputy Head of Economics
When it was founded in 2006, the Zurich company South Pole was still a small ETH spin-off. In the meantime, the company has grown into a so-called unicorn – a start-up that has reached a value of over one billion francs.
This was possible thanks to the green turn. While companies and governments around the world justify their lack of commitment to climate protection with the horrendous costs, Renat Heuberger (46) sees the green turn as a business case.
Illustrious clientele
The co-founder and CEO of South Pole helps companies to reduce their CO₂ emissions and at the same time to implement climate compensation. Illustrious customers include Swisscom, Nestlé and Swiss Re, but also corporations such as Chanel and UPS.
Not only he as a service provider and consultant benefits from the green turn, but primarily the companies themselves, emphasizes Heuberger: “Those who burn less oil, gas and coal not only emit less CO2 but above all has to buy less energy and therefore burns less money.»
Shortage of skilled workers as an incentive
The shortage of skilled workers is another incentive for companies to go green. “Generation Z takes a close look at a company’s climate strategy and selects the employer accordingly,” argues Heuberger.
Added to this are the jobs that are created in the field of renewable energies, as can be heard again and again at the WEF. For example, from the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (55) at a top-class panel on Thursday: “By 2030, 1 to 2 million people in the Netherlands will have a job in the field of renewable energies.”
That far outweighs the jobs lost in coal-fired power plants or oil fields. Switzerland can also benefit. In Germany, calculations are based on 87,000 new jobs by 2035. And these are even better distributed throughout the country than before. “Large nuclear power plants create a few jobs at this individual power plant,” says Heuberger. “With solar power, you have small solar roofs all over the country with corresponding job opportunities from installers and suppliers.”
Also feasible for SMEs
The green turn is not only feasible for large corporations, but also for SMEs. Every company, large or small, can save 20 to 30 percent of the CO2-Reduce emissions, “simply by eliminating inefficiencies,” says Heuberger. This does not create any costs – but saves money.
Especially because CO2-Emissions are getting more and more expensive. In Switzerland, the CO2– Tax on fossil fuels such as oil and gas since last year CHF 120 per tonne. The year before it was 96 francs. “It’s getting more and more expensive to pollute the climate,” Heuberger sums up. And more and more worthwhile to join the green turn.