This virtual trip has saved a lot of time, according to Federal Councilor Sommaruga, who finds here a gift from California State Park. The return flight between Switzerland and San Francisco alone would have taken almost 24 hours. KEYSTONE / ANTHONY ANEX sda-ats
–
–This content was published on June 25, 2021 – 13:17
(Keystone-ATS)
Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga took a virtual trip to California this week. This working visit was placed under the sign of climate change. This was the first pilot project of this kind for the Federal Council.
The Federal Councilor wished to further exploit the lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis. “Visiting a city or a country in this way saves time and the environment,” said the head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), quoted in the press release published on Friday.
However, this visit did not include confidential interviews, according to the minister. Disagreements should be dealt with person to person. Thanks to this new mode of communication, Simonetta Sommaruga was able to get an idea of the situation on site, visit companies, take part in discussions and virtually walk in nature.
Visit to the vineyards and businesses
She learned about the effects of climate change on a virtual tour of Napa Valley, famous for its wine. She met with wine growers and discussed the matter with Eleni Kounalakis, the Alternate Governor of California, David Hochschild, Chairman of the California Energy Commission, and David S. Kim, Chairman of the California Commission. transports.
The Federal Councilor also visited an assembly plant opened in 2019 in Salt Lake City by Stadler Rail. The manufacturer is supporting the US rail sector in its switch from diesel to non-fossil fuels. The Thurgau company is designing a hydrogen train intended for passenger traffic which should run in California from 2024.
Swiss logistics companies Galliker and Kuehne + Nagel explained how they are reducing their CO2 emissions with electric and hydrogen trucks. In addition, electric car maker Tesla presented its technological advances.
By e-bike to SF
Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga has completed her virtual electric bike tour in San Francisco. She discovered a municipal library and the social commitment of its employees, who notably distributed food to the homeless during the pandemic.
–
