The idea emerged in the MaCS-HSG programme led by Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen. Each of the steps is marked in varying shades of red and blue, symbolizing how the temperature in a specific year deviates from the long-term average—red for warmer years and blue for cooler ones. As one ascends toward the year 2023, the steps increasingly display darker red hues, emphasizing the growing intensity of warming. The steps representing the years 2024 to 2030 remain unmarked for now, instead featuring thought-provoking questions and prompts to encourage reflection on individual climate action.
The project was inaugurated on June 8, 2023, by HSG students and Peter Jans, a member of the local government, who highlighted the significant impact of climate change, noting that Switzerland has already warmed by two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, twice the global average. The project was supported by the city, with Jans emphasizing the need for public awareness and behavioural change in addressing climate challenges. City officials, together with students and faculty, installed the color-coded strips on the stairs, underscoring the collaboration between the university and the local government in promoting climate consciousness.
The "Climate Stairs" also feature QR codes along the handrails, offering further insights into climate change, its consequences, political milestones, and everyday climate protection measures. This initiative aligns with HSG's broader climate strategy, which includes a commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030, as part of global efforts like the UNFCCC's "Race to Zero" campaign. Similarly, the city of St. Gallen is working towards climate neutrality by 2050 through its "Energy Concept 2050," focusing on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, following a local mandate for climate protection.
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