The Embassy of Switzerland has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a “Gold LEEDv4.1” building. It is the first building in New Delhi to receive the certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification identified the Swiss Embassy as a showcase example of sustainability.

“Sustainability is all about commitment. I am glad to announce that the building of the embassy of Switzerland received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certificate of the U.S. Green Building Council. An eminent distinction attributed to the very first time to an embassy building in India – and actually to a Swiss building abroad” said State Secretary Alexandre Fasel on 13 February, 2025, at a ceremony held at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.

The certificate was presented by Mr. Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Embassy’s main building received a remarkable energy score of 96 points on 100. Obviously, the iconic premises, designed by Hans Hoffmann and inaugurated by Prime Minister Nehru in 1963, had been built with sustainability in mind. The more recent visa building, as well as the SDC’s building which was constructed using the Low Carbon Cement LC3, also scored well.

The special event was attended by several distinguished guests including Mr Sonam Wangchuk, a committed advocate of sustainability notably in the Himalayas, as well as ambassadors and sponsors of the biennial initiative of the Swiss diplomatic network in India and Bhutan: ‘Sustainability with a plus’.

Swiss technical support in Rajkot has facilitated the integration of sustainability and resilience into urban planning through sectoral interventions. By mainstreaming and prioritizing climate actions, these common programmes have had significant impact by contributing to policies, enhancing skills, and improving access to finance.

Switzerland is strongly committed to sustainability, environmental protection and innovation, consistently ranking high in global sustainability index. Through international cooperation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) plays a key role in promoting sustainable development worldwide. Swiss expertise in climate and sustainability has made significant policy impact at national, sub-national and city levels, making Switzerland a highly esteemed partner for India.

In Rajkot, Swiss technical support has strengthened urban resilience through low-cost thermally comfortable housing, efficient waste and waste water management, energy efficient industries and electric mobility in public transport. SDC co-funding enabled passive cooling in 1,175 housing units, reducing indoor temperatures by up to 5°C through enhanced natural ventilation, wall and roof insulation, and better building design with a solar rooftop. In 2019, Rajkot as part of its climate resilient city action plan installed 145 kWp solar system at the Aji water treatment plants (1 out of 5 plants) and developed a solid waste management strategy, including a pilot on waste segregation. In mobility, a feasibility study explored electrifying the Bus Rapid Transit route, alongside e-vehicles demonstration for last-mile connectivity.

A high-level delegation from SDC visited Rajkot on 4-5 February 2025, to witness the impact of Swiss interventions. Swiss expertise is highly valued for policy and governance, science based high-quality documents, and skills development of Indian stakeholders. These operations successfully demonstrate the proof of concepts; however allocation of limited financial resources still pose critical challenges in scaling up of climate actions.

The Swiss delegation’s engagement with city municipal authorities, project sites, and beneficiaries highlighted the tangible impact of Swiss interventions. These initiatives not only demonstrated their effectiveness in addressing climate challenges but also showcased the potential for transferring technical expertise and experiences from India to other South Asian countries facing similar environmental issues. A region with high population density and poverty, vulnerable to disaster risks and impacted by air pollution and heatwaves.

A decade of Swiss-supported research on Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) is driving a global transformation in the cement sector. Recognized as a cement standard in India and commercially produced in multiple countries, LC3 offers a sustainable alternative with up to 40% lower CO₂ emissions per ton compared to conventional cement. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward greener and more sustainable cement production

For the 14th consecutive year, Switzerland has ranked No.1 in the Global Innovation Index. This leadership in research and innovation is evident in its breakthrough contribution to the cement industry, one of the largest sources of global CO₂ emissions. Cement accounts for 7-8% of worldwide CO₂ emissions, making it a major driver of climate change. Switzerland, in collaboration with global partners, has introduced Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) , a revolutionary and climate-friendly alternative.

Between 2013-2022, Swiss scientists from the Polytechnic Federal School of Lausanne (EPFL) collaborated with eminent experts from IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and Technology & Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), as well as Cuban scientists (Universidad de las Villas). With support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), they developed LC3, a cement that reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional cement. What makes LC3 revolutionary is that it is less carbon intensive, resource efficient (low grade limestone and clays are used), energy efficient (clay is calcined at 700oC instead of 1400oC), cost effective (25% less of costs in production) and offers similar to superior properties compared to conventional cement.

LC3 is being produced by the cement companies in Argentina, Colombia, Malawi, Ivory Coast, Cuba, China. Many more are likely to join. As the world’s 2nd largest producer and consumer of cement, India integrated LC3 into Decarbonization Roadmap for the Indian Cement Sector: Net Zero CO2 by 2070, aligning with its net zero emissions target by 2070. In India, LC3 has been used in several construction sites. In Switzerland, the upcoming Tilia Tower and Rolex’s new factory serves as a real-world demonstration of the performance and viability of LC3 and exemplifies sustainability in the construction industry. The cement industry has invested an estimated more than 100 million CHF in LC3 research and production, and with rising demand of LC3, this number is set to grow exponentially. With the right policies, investments, and industry commitment, LC3 has the potential to cut about 500 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030, a massive leap towards a sustainable future. LC3 is not just an innovation it is a climate solution and to decarbonise the cement sector.