Environmental and climate law

Various facilities on the surface are required for the construction and operation of a deep geological repository. These include the facilities for packaging the radioactive waste (e.g. fuel element packaging facility or SFWIP). As part of the sectoral plan procedure for a deep geological repository, the question also arises as to where such a SFWIP should be located. Water protection concerns must be taken into account here, along with other protected interests. Individual stakeholders involved in the various consultation and participation processes have raised the question of whether, for example, a FPE may be constructed within the Au water protection area. Lawyer Lorenz Lehmann from Ecosens AG has prepared a legal opinion on this question on behalf of nagra. more >>

Flumroc AG has been producing rock wool from mainly Swiss rock in Flums (SG) for over 70 years. In 2021, Flumroc submitted a planning application to adapt the production plant for stone wool production. The project pursues two goals: an improvement in the emissions situation and a massive reduction in CO2 emissions. Lawyer Lorenz Lehmann from Ecosens AG advised Flumroc AG on the planning of this project with regard to environmental and climate law as well as procedural issues. more >>

Article 3 paragraph 4 of the CO2 Act stipulates that the federal government can agree reduction targets with individual groups of companies. An agreement was concluded between DETEC and the VBSA in 2014 to reduce fossil CO2 emissions from waste incineration. As this was limited until the end of 2021, negotiations have taken place between the Confederation and the Association on the conclusion of a follow-up agreement. Attorney at law Lorenz Lehmann provided legal advice to the VBSA during these contract negotiations. In March 2022, the VBSA and DETEC were able to sign a new agreement on the reduction of fossil CO2 emissions from waste incineration and the implementation of technologies for the capture, storage and use of CO2 in Swiss waste incineration plants. more >>

Heating with geothermal energy in a terraced single-family house or duplex apartment building - a solution together with the neighborhood saves costs and time. The Climate Office of the City of Zurich shows interested people the advantages and disadvantages and also advises them on legal issues. UGZ has commissioned Ecosens to draw up a corresponding model contract in order to offer practical assistance to those interested in such small heating networks. This regulates the legal relationship between the landowners involved in the network for the construction, operation and replacement of a joint geothermal probe. more >>

The Office for the Environment (AfU) compiles the register of contaminated sites and is responsible for ordering measures for the investigation, monitoring and remediation of contaminated sites in the Canton of Thurgau and for issuing cost allocation decrees in accordance with Art. 32d para. 4 USG. Since 2006, the Legal Department of Ecosens AG has regularly supported the AfU in dealing with complex legal issues and issuing decrees in connection with measures under contaminated sites law and cost allocation. Ecosens AG also advises and assists the FOEN in subsequent appeal proceedings, sometimes up to the Federal Supreme Court (e.g. BGer 1C_712/2020 and 1C_714/2020), when cost allocation orders are contested by parties involved. more >>