Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC
This clamshell bucket, suspended from a crane, is used to collect sediment samples from 55 sites in Lake Constance, which are then rinsed, sieved and examined for quagga mussels.
Roads,
rail, power and the media: DETEC assures Switzerland’s basic public services. But
it also takes care of our natural environment: woodlands,
landscape, water, air, plants and animals. DETEC pursues a climate policy that
is also beneficial for the economy.
Albert Rösti
Head of DETEC.
Member of the Federal Council since 2023.
Striking a balance between protecting and using our natural environment. That is what DETEC is striving to achieve.
Priorities of the DETEC in 2025
Our lakes fulfil important functions: they provide drinking water, are a source of recreation, tourism and fishing. At the same time, they serve as habitats for many animals and plants. However, our lakes are under strain and changing. To gain a better understanding of these developments, an international team of researchers on Lake Constance are taking a closer look supported by DETEC.
As part of the SeeWandel research project, they are studying the influence of nutrients, invasive plant and animal species, and climate change on the lake’s ecosystem.
This work shows that Lake Constance has recovered after decades of pollution. Thanks to good wastewater treatment plants and reduced fertiliser use in agriculture, it is once again home to almost the same aquatic plants as before. However, new invasive species are disrupting the balance. The quagga mussel, for example, has spread throughout the lake, impacting on the ecosystem and water abstraction infrastructure (drinking water, thermal use).
The data from the SeeWandel project, in which Austria and Germany are also involved, can help to predict changing conditions – also for other lakes. This allows steps to be taken in good time to protect nature and how it is used.
Expenses 2023 (CHF)
14.46bn
Staff (FTEs) 2023
2,526
Organisation chart DETEC
General Secretariat GS-DETEC
Secretary General: Yves Bichsel
www.uvek.admin.ch
Federal Office of Transport FOT
Director: Peter Füglistaler
Director: Christa Hostettler
www.bav.admin.ch
Federal
Office of Civil Aviation FOCA
Director: Christian Hegner
www.bazl.admin.ch
Swiss
Federal Office of Energy SFOE
Director: Benoît Revaz
www.bfe.admin.ch
Federal
Roads Office FEDRO
Director: Jürg Röthlisberger
www.astra.admin.ch
Federal
Office of Communications OFCOM
Director: Bernard Maissen
www.bakom.admin.ch
Federal
Office for the Environment FOEN
Director: Katrin Schneeberger
www.bafu.admin.ch
Federal
Office for Spatial Development ARE
Director: Maria Lezzi
www.are.admin.ch
Autonomous
organisations
Swiss
Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI
Director: Marc Kenzelmann
www.ensi.ch
Federal Inspectorate for Heavy
Current Installations ESTI
Director: Daniel Otti
www.esti.admin.ch
Swiss Transportation Safety
Investigation Board STSB
President: Pieter Zeilstra
www.sust.admin.ch
Federal Electricity Commission
ElCom
President: Werner Luginbühl
www.elcom.admin.ch
Federal Communications Commission ComCom
President: Christian Martin
www.comcom.admin.ch
Independent Complaints
Authority for Radio and Television ICA
President: Mascha Santschi Kallay
www.ubi.admin.ch
Federal Postal Services
Commission PostCom
President: Anne Seydoux-Christe
www.postcom.admin.ch
Rail Transport Commission RailCom
President: Barbara Furrer
www.railcom.admin.ch
