USI joins MoveSmart, the national initiative for more sustainable corporate mobility

Università della Svizzera italiana has joined MoveSmart, the new national initiative that supports companies and institutions in making their employees' mobility more sustainable. By signing the MoveSmart Charter, USI joins a group of organisations committed to promoting people's quality of life. USI is one of the 13 pioneers who signed as First Movers.

USI's participation in MoveSmart is part of a broader reflection on the role of corporate mobility in achieving climate goals. In Switzerland, mobility is responsible for about one-third of CO₂ emissions, and commuting and business travel account for a significant portion of this impact.

MoveSmart was officially launched in Bern on 26 January 2026. It was created to make sustainable mobility a standard for companies and institutions. The initiative is promoted by Pro Velo Switzerland, VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz and the Public Transport Union (VöV), and offers a structured approach based on clear objectives, concrete measures and a three-level certification system.

By signing the MoveSmart Charter, participating organisations commit to developing active mobility management, progressively reducing CO₂ emissions from business travel and commuting, and aligning their policies with more sustainable modes of transport. The target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through a series of measures, including promoting public transport, cycling, and innovative solutions for the benefit of staff.

The MoveSmart certification system also makes the commitment of participating organisations visible. After the initial "committed" level, which requires the signing of the Charter, companies and institutions are called upon to implement defined measures to reach the next levels, "engaged" and "leading", the latter reserved for those who adopt particularly ambitious strategies and anticipate the goal of climate neutrality.

At the launch in Bern, USI also shared its new flight policy with the companies present during a conference session dedicated to best practices, showing how it is moving towards more sustainable professional mobility.

By joining the initiative, USI confirms its commitment to more responsible and future-oriented mobility, recognising the central role that education and research institutions can play in the transition to sustainable development models that are environmentally attentive and responsive to the needs of the university community.

For more information on the MoveSmart initiative and its objectives, please visit the official website.