Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

The Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. 193 countries, including Switzerland, have adopted the 2015 Agenda. The 17 goals aim to advance sustainable development worldwide at the economic, social and environmental levels, put human dignity at the centre, protect the planet and promote peace and prosperity for all.

Eawag’s research enables progress towards attaining the 17 SDGs. First and foremost, our work naturally supports Goal 6: clean drinking water and sanitation. However, many research projects also contribute to Goals 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

By clicking on the SDG, the goal is explained and projects are shown that contribute to achieving the goal.

Pest control with pesticides in a rice field. (Adobe Stock)

December 8, 2025

December 8, 2025A global shift to agriculture with no or fewer pesticides would have long-term ecological and economic benefits, according to a new study.

In areas with a lot of agriculture, nitrate concentrations in groundwater are higher. However, other factors that have been largely overlooked to date can also contribute to high nitrate concentrations. (Photo: BauernZeitung)

December 1, 2025

December 1, 2025Eawag researchers are using machine learning to map nitrate pollution in Swiss groundwater. This allows gaps in the measurement network to be filled and the causes of excessive values to be identified. The study is part of a larger project analysing the nitrogen cycle in Switzerland.

November 19, 2025

November 19, 2025Walter Giger was a pioneer in the life cycle analysis of environmental pollutants. He analysed, but also insisted that action be taken when the harmfulness of a substance was proven. His work on toxic nonylphenols attracted worldwide attention. Walter Giger passed away on 6 November 2025. With his passing, Eawag and environmental chemistry have lost an outstanding researcher, but for many he was also a good friend.