From November 12th to December 9th, Impact Hub Geneva, in partnership with the City and the Republic and Canton of Geneva, invites you to participate in “My Carbon Challenge“, a month of initiatives aimed at encouraging residents to reduce their carbon footprint. This challenge, accessible to everyone, is part of the global decarbonization efforts outlined in the City of Geneva’s climate strategythe Cantonal Climate Plan and the Swiss Climate Strategywhich aim for a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
A Challenge Organized by Impact Hub to Mobilize the Community
As a leading player in social and environmental innovation, Impact Hub Geneva is spearheading this pilot project designed to enable each participant to measure their carbon footprint using the“Nos Gestes Climat”calculator and take concrete action through accessible, local initiatives. This calculator was launched in 2023 by the Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva, and 2050Today to identify individual activities that have the most significant impact on the climate and to encourage suitable individual behavior changes. Over a period of one month, “My Carbon Challenge” will allow the residents of Geneva to engage in five key themes: energy and housing, mobility, food, consumption, and biodiversity.
“With “My Carbon Challenge”, we want to empower everyone to take concrete action to reduce their carbon footprint. This project is part of our commitment to mobilizing the local community and the international Geneva around innovative and accessible solutions for a sustainable future. We firmly believe that every action counts, and collectively, we can tackle this climate challenge.” – Felix Stähli, Co-founder of Impact Hub Geneva
Impact Hub Geneva offers a unique framework for support and guidance for participants. Throughout the month of November, workshops, events, and interactive tools will help citizens better understand their carbon footprint and adopt appropriate actions. The goal is clear: to inspire long-term behavior change to meet Geneva’s climate goals. With the support of experts and resources available online, participants will be guided in implementing sustainable practices in their daily lives.
Local Support and Reach
The initiative is supported by the Canton and City of Geneva, who fully integrate “My Carbon Challenge” and the “Nos Gestes Climat” calculator into their respective decarbonization strategies. While cities represent only 3% of the Earth’s surface, they are responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. This challenge is a local response to a global problem, reaffirming Geneva’s key role in the fight against climate change. This project also reflects Geneva’s commitment to achieving its climate objectives and inspiring other Swiss cities to follow suit.
A launch event will be organized for all participants on November 12 at the Impact Hub Geneva, with Mr. Alfonso Gomez in attendance. Alfonso GomezAdministrative Councillor in charge of the Environment for the City of Geneva, and Mr. Rémy ZinderDirector of the Department of Sustainability and Climate (DDC) of the Department of Territory of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
A Challenge Resonating with the Global Agenda
As the COP29 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, “My Carbon Challenge” aligns with global efforts through a local approach. Impact Hub Geneva demonstrates through this initiative that every resident and city can make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. The importance of this challenge lies in activating the local community and fostering collective engagement for sustainable solutions.
Join the Challenge!
Registrations for “Mon Défi Carbone” are made via the online platform mon-defi-carbone.ch. Tout le monde peut s’inscrire soit individuellement, soit en groupe. Des outils comme le calculateur d’empreinte carbone seront mis à disposition, et des événements et ateliers seront organisés autour des différents thèmes. Il y aura également un accompagnement personnalisé par des expert-e-s. Le défi prendra fin le 9 décembre avec un événement de clôture où les participant-e-s pourront partager leurs réussites, célébrer les avancées collectives et envisager les prochaines étapes vers un avenir plus durable.
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Notes to Editors:
- For more information on My Carbon Challenge: mon-defi-carbone.ch
- For more information on the City of Geneva’s climate strategy: www.geneve.ch/strategie-climat
- For more information on the cantonal climate plan: monclimat.ge.ch
- To register for the launch ceremony on November 12, please follow this link.
