D-BAUG News
The view from space – and what it tells us
Earth-observation satellites deliver data for a wealth of applications – from monitoring climate change and documenting war crimes to planning disaster relief and assessing snow depth. ETH researchers from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering are also big beneficiaries.
Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the USA, the Middle East, and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed. Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ETH Zurich have shown this by tracking how agricultural exports from 1995 to 2022 affected land use changes in the producing countries. Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Madagascar are particularly affected by species loss.
HIPERWIND reduces offshore wind energy costs by up to 9 percent
The EU wants to increase offshore wind energy capacity from the current 12 gigawatts (GW) to 450 GW by 2050. To help achieve this goal, the international research initiative HIPERWIND has developed innovative simulation models that reduce the levelized cost of energy for wind turbines by up to 9 percent. From ETH Zurich, the Chair of Risk, Safety and Uncertainty Quantification at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering contributed to the project.
Sustainability rankings for universities: what can we learn from them?
ETH Zurich's sustainability efforts were evaluated twice last month: the “WWF University Rating 2024” and the “QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025” show a mixed picture. An analysis.
A thinner thermal insulation for buildings
ETH spin-off Aeroskin Tech is developing innovative thermal insulation that uses aerogel technology to insulate buildings more efficiently and more sustainably. This new insulation has an energy-saving effect and is significantly thinner than conventional materials – a mere 10 centimetres instead of up to 30 centimetres, depending on the application.
Timber, earth and a digital ecosystem for sustainable construction
Two flagship projects from Innosuisse have been launched at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich with the aim of transforming the Swiss construction industry in a sustainable way: While "Swircular" lays the foundation for a circular construction industry, "Think Earth" enables regenerative construction with timber and earth.
Her city’s digital twin
Grace Kagho set up UrbanEcho to create the basis for sustainable urban planning in low-income countries. Her goal: a detailed digital twin of cities and their residents.
Humboldt Research Award for Bruno Sudret
Bruno Sudret, Professor of Risk, Safety, and Uncertainty Quantification at the ETH-Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, has won the Humboldt Research Award. Sudret receives the award in recognition of his academic achievements and contributions to the field of uncertainty quantification. In addition to the personal prize money, he will be invited to carry out a research project of his choice in collaboration with specialist colleagues in Germany. Congratulations!
SNSF Starting Grants for two D-BAUG researchers
Eight researchers from ETH Zurich successfully applied for Starting Grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, among them also Benedikt Soja and Franco Zunino from Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering.
Golden Owl: "To teach is to learn twice"
This year, D-BAUG students awarded Matteo Riva the "Golden Owl" in recognition of his dedication to teaching. Riva is a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Spatial Planning and Landscape Development, where he evaluates landscape changes and the condition of ecosystems. For him, teaching is not just about the transfer of knowledge, but an inspiring exchange in which students and teachers can grow together.