Realistic net-zero CO2 emissions pathways

The Joint Activity Scenarios and Modelling (JASM) initiative, coordinated under the Swiss Competence Centres for Energy Research (SCCER), developed a coherent set of scenarios to inform Switzerland’s longterm climate and energy strategy. The work brought together expertise from eight research centres covering electricity generation, buildings, mobility, industry, grids, biomass, storage, and the economy, providing government and research stakeholders with an integrated view of realistic pathways to netzero greenhouse gas emissions by midcentury.

The analysis identified key strategic priorities for policy, including the integration of negativeemissions technologies into the national strategy, the establishment of international CO₂ storage agreements given limited domestic capacity, and the development of a hydrogen strategy to decarbonise longdistance transport. These findings emphasise the importance of holistic, systemwide planning to align technical, economic, and environmental objectives in the Swiss energy transition.

The scenarios were developed using a suite of energysystem and sectoral models, including the Swiss TIMES Energy System Model (STEM), within the broader JASM multimodel framework. This ensured consistency across sectors and provided a robust evidence base for assessing tradeoffs, coordinating sectoral strategies, and aligning domestic measures with international commitments.