Decarbonizing industrial process heat is crucial for Switzerland’s climate goals, especially in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This report analyzes stakeholder perspectives, policy instruments, and regulatory frameworks influencing the transition to renewable options like high-temperature heat pumps, alternative gases, and wood.
The study, part of the Basel case study but offering broader insights, identifies key barriers such as high investment costs, regulatory uncertainty, and technical constraints. Expert interviews and a stakeholder survey highlight the need for financial incentives, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure development to accelerate adoption.
Three policy mixes are proposed: electrification through investment credits and R&D funding, alternative gases via infrastructure expansion and mandates, and sustainable wood allocation for high-temperature applications. Legal analysis reveals gaps in regulations, with recent climate policies offering new opportunities to align industrial energy strategies with national decarbonization targets.
