Our Network
Today, a country's economic framework is no longer determined by domestic policy decisions alone. This is why we are also active on an international level.
Energy Agency of the Swiss Private Sector
The Energy Agency of the Swiss Private Sector (EnAW) is the partner for economic climate protection and energy efficiency. It advises and partners businesses of all kinds und sizes in their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy efficiency. The proposed measures invariably make good economic sense and answer to the specific needs of each business. As participants in the energy management system of EnAW companies are in compliance with the legal requirements of the federal government (CO2 and energy law) and the cantons (bulk-consumer article). By implementing their energy management with the products and tools of the EnAW more than 3000 companies are making a significant contribution to Switzerland's climate and energy policy goals.
At the end of the first period of CO2 legislation, EnAW draws a positive conclusion: the target of the new law was a reduction of CO2 from fossil fuels of 15% below 1990-levels. Companies with an EnAW target agreement actually achieved a 25% reduction—mostly by fully exploiting all cost-effective measures to improve efficiency. Companies enrolled in the EnAW energy management system thus significantly surpassed their reduction target.
With products and services recognized by the government and with ISO-50001-conform tools EnAW is uniquely suited to support companies. As a partner of business for business, EnAW is committed to carrying forward the implementation of the CO2 and energy laws and ensuring that the Swiss economy meets its CO2 and energy efficiency targets for the 2013-2020 period.
Trusted instrument of business
Current Swiss law supports the model of mandatory target agreements, which was originally developed independently by the economy. As an instrument, target agreements continue to have great potential going forward. Because they provide the proper incentives, target agreements are economically and environmentally superior to a pure steering tax. It is to be hoped that they will be more widely applied in the future rather than reined in. It would be the fairest, most cost-effective, and efficient way to achieve our goal.
BUSINESSEUROPE
The European Business Federation BUSINESSEUROPE represents the interests of 41 industry and employer federations in more than 35 European countries. economiesuisse and the Swiss Employer Federation/Schweizerischer Arbeitgeberverband (SAV) are both full members. Because of its broad support base BUSINESSEUROPE is recognized as the voice of European businesses. The association's primary focus is on reforms in business law that benefit growth and market integration. It also campaigns for an efficient public sector, fights protectionism, promotes a sustainable energy industry and wants to reform European social systems. economiesuisse is in close contact with BUSINESSEUROPE through its Brussels office and periodically meets with corporate representatives from all EU countries to exchange views. Last year, direct access to the European federation was particularly important in view of the recent difficulties in the relations between Switzerland and the EU.
INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ICC SWITZERLAND
Founded in 1922, the International Chamber of Commerce ICC Switzerland counts as its members the leading national business organizations, the chambers of commerce and industry, companies focused on international trade, and the country's major law firms. Its main goal is to promote free trade and facilitate international investment activity.
ICC Switzerland is a national branch of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) founded in 1919. ICC is the only organization authorized to speak in the name of all economic actors of all regions around the globe. As official partner it is also the voice of the private sector at the UN, WTO, OECD, G-20, and other organizations. It is the job of ICC Switzerland to grant Swiss-based companies access to the numerous activities of the world organization, inform them about international economic developments, influence these developments from a Swiss perspective, and represent the positions of the international economy in Switzerland.
BIAC
The Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) represents the interests of the economy at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). BIAC was founded in 1962 and is supported by industry associations and employer organizations in all OECD countries. Switzerland is represented by economiesuisse and the Swiss employer federation SAV. Like ICC, BIAC is important for the Swiss economy. Both organizations provide provide channels of influence at the international level. Especially in a time of increasing regulation because of the financial crisis these organs provide an important stage for Swiss business to make itself heard.