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Innovation and sustainability are part of the DNA of BKW. Roger Baillod, Chairman of the BKW Board, emphasised this at the event to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary: “By expanding the use of renewable energies and with its services in the fields of photovoltaics, electromobility and energy efficiency, BKW is already playing a huge part in decarbonising the economy and society.” He also stated that BKW now wants to focus more on its own carbon footprint – i.e. the CO2 emissions it causes directly as a company. As part of this process, BKW has set an ambitious goal: “We will reduce our greenhouse emissions from the energy business to net zero by 2040 at the latest,” continued Roger Baillod. He also stated that the company’s path towards reducing emissions as well as any interim targets still need to be examined and, in doing so, BKW is going to take into account the needs of Switzerland and Europe for a secure power supply. Roger Baillod stated that BKW also wants to make electrifying its entire vehicle fleet an additional focus of its decarbonisation strategy – this is somewhat more challenging for commercial vehicles than for personal vehicles, but BKW is sure to find the solutions for this.
A future always needs a past: launch of the “Lebensräume 2025” (Living Spaces 2025) initiative
In his welcoming speech, Bern councillor Christoph Ammann underlined the fact that BKW has always been at the forefront of progress and that its growth over 125 years has been impressive. In particular, Christoph Ammann is delighted that BKW is launching the “Lebensräume 2025” (Living Spaces 2025) initiative in its anniversary year, as the topic of bringing spaces to life is currently very much in vogue: “I wish you much success in this interactive experiment. I am delighted that you continue to be highly motivated in assuming responsibility for society, people and the environment.”
In fact, at the anniversary event, BKW not only looked back at its history, but above all also looked ahead to an exciting future. It launched the “Lebensräume 2025” (Living Spaces 2025) initiative for bringing spaces to life: the relevant stakeholders from the fields of economics, politics and society can only tackle the challenges resulting from climate change, digitalisation and urbanisation if they work together. Representatives from these groups discussed and developed ideas and solutions for bringing spaces to life as part of breakout sessions. Three workshops have come about as a result of these discussions, which, above and beyond the event in Hagneck, deal with three key issues for ensuring a sustainable and liveable future (Atelier Energiesysteme (energy systems workshop), Atelier Klimawende (climate change workshop), Atelier Lebenswerte Quartiere (liveable accommodation workshop)). Anyone who is interested can take part in the workshops – register via the website.
Note: The open house event at the Hagneck hydroelectric power plant takes place the day after tomorrow, on Saturday, 8 July 2023. Visitors can expect a free programme packed with variety for the whole family – food will be provided. You can find further information (in German) on our website.
| 125 years of BKW – 125 questions How did BKW come into being? When was the BKW head office at Viktoriaplatz Bern built? Other than the year they were founded, what connects the BSC Young Boys football club and BKW? What has BKW got to do with electric commercial vehicles in 1920? Where is BKW’s highest construction site at the moment? These five and 120 other questions – some of which were asked by employees – will be answered gradually until the end of the year on the BKW website to celebrate BKW’s 125th anniversary. |