Four times a year, the Swiss people vote on the future of the country, its cantons, and municipalities. These votes often concern construction and housing, mobility, and the landscape. As an association for a climate-friendly transformation of the construction industry, we observe a discrepancy between the general public debate and the expert discourse of the planning and construction disciplines. This podcast bridges the gap between these two worlds.

For each current vote and topic, we invite representatives from science, politics, associations, and government agencies to join us for a discussion. Our aim is not confrontation, but rather to gain insights. We want to understand and learn, ask questions and challenge assumptions, guided by clear values and with an open mind.

Support us As an independent association, this podcast is produced entirely by volunteers. Do you appreciate this? Then you can support us here here.

Episode 5: Designing for the Future with Annette Gigon
Swiss architect Annette Gigon takes us on her quest for sustainable architecture. At the Kontextur Podcast Festival kontextur.info/project/kontextur-podcast-festival, she told us how she acquired knowledge about the construction industry in the context of the climate crisis through her work in the office and teaching, what obstacles she encounters in her daily work, and what she hopes to achieve with a "CO2 kiosk."

Episode 4: Imputed Rental Value with Caspar Schärer and Jakob Schneider
On September 28, 2025, Switzerland will vote on abolishing the imputed rental value. With our two guests, Caspar Schärer (former Secretary General of the BSA) and Jakob Schneider (architect), we'll examine this complex proposal. What would be the architectural and environmental consequences of such a system change? What does this tax issue have to do with renovation rates and living space sufficiency?

Episode 3: Climate Policy with Alex Tiefenbacher
Swiss climate policy is complex and slow. A revised CO2 law and the Climate and Innovation Act have been in effect since January. What's new and different, better or worse? How do the CO2 levy and emissions trading system work? Why do steel and cement companies pay so little? Should the building program be reformed instead of abolished? Climate journalist Alex Tiefenbacher cuts through the legal thicket for us.

Episode 2: Environmental Responsibility with Kathy Steiner
On February 9, 2025, we will vote on the Environmental Responsibility Initiative. In the second episode of the political podcast, Kathy Steiner, Managing Director of Casafair, discusses its demands and consequences for our coexistence, construction, and planning.

Episode 1: Net Zero with Reto Knutti

The Countdown 2030 association has a clear goal: net zero in the construction sector by 2030. But what does net zero actually mean? Which zero are we talking about? How do we achieve it, and what is the negative in the equation – in construction, the carbon stored in wood and other biogenic materials? The first episode with climate scientist Reto Knutti revolves around these questions and the promising number zero.