Switzerland Switzerland

Switzerland is up one spot and ranks 21st in the current CCPI, as an overall medium performer.

Switzerland earns a medium rating in the GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, and Energy Use categories, and a low in Climate Policy.

Referendum on climate law

In June 2023, Switzerland passed a climate law including a net-zero target for 2050, which was decided in a referendum. The CCPI country experts welcome that the country’s people decided in favour of this law. The experts do, however, note a lack of specific governmental implementation plans on how to achieve the target.

Switzerland has a functioning 120 CHF/t CO2 tax on heating fuels. The experts consider other carbon price policies, such as for the transport sector, to be weak.

In the energy sector, Switzerland is planning a new energy law that should accelerate take-up of renewable energy and set more ambitious goals for the sector. Nevertheless, no clear fossil fuel phase-out has been announced.

Biomass, which the country imports and exports, is used for heating. Switzerland generally has good forest protection laws, but the expansion of biomass has exerted pressure on existing forest policies.

Switzerland should contribute more to climate finance

The experts view Switzerland as a progressive actor in international climate politics regarding mitigation and ambition, but they want to see the country contribute more to climate finance.

The consumer-based footprint doubles the domestic footprint, as Switzerland imports more than twice the amount of domestic emissions through products. These emissions are not included in the CCPI ranking because the ranking uses a territorial approach to emissions and ascribes GHG emissions to the emitting countries.

Key Outcomes

  • Switzerland is up one spot and ranks 21st in the current CCPI, as an overall medium performer
  • In June 2023, Switzerland passed a climate law including a net-zero target for 2050
  • Key demands: accelerate take-up of renewable energy and set a clear date for fossil fuel phase-out

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

Key Indicators

CCPI 2024: Target comparison