Switzerland

Switzerland rises seven ranks to 26th and remains an overall medium performer in the CCPI. The country receives a high rating in GHG Emissions, medium in Renewable Energy and Energy Use, and low in Climate Policy.

Switzerland‘s second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2.0) targets a 65%+ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2035 compared with 1990 to be implemented as an emissions budget covering 2031–2035. The country has a 2050 net-zero target for all GHG emissions. It has yet to communicate how much of its NDC target it plans to achieve through domestic reductions versus offsets abroad.

Revised CO₂ Act maintains emissions-related instruments and incentives, but actually delays decarbonisation

In March 2024, the National Council and the Council of States agreed on a revised version of the CO₂ Act, which went into force on 1 January 2025. The revised climate policy will ensure that the existing instruments for reducing Switzerland’s CO₂ emissions remain in place. Incentive levies on CO₂ emissions also will remain at the same level. A part of these levies’ revenue will go into a national climate fund, while another will be redistributed to the population via health insurance premiums. Overall, the law relies on financial incentives, investment in climate mitigation, technological progress, and using offsets from abroad. About one-third of the planned emissions reduction will come from other countries – leaving a 34% reduction byl 2030 in Switzerland compared with 1990. The CCPI country experts assess the act as delaying decarbonisation in Switzerland and omitting additional measures necessary for achieving Switzerland’s emissions reduction targets.

The experts are critical of the nonexistence of regulations for the agricultural, industrial, and financial sectors, and that there is no possibility of combatting the high consumption levels.

Parliament approved the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources in autumn of 2023. The first of the two packages entered into force on 1 January 2025. The act lays the foundations for a rapid expansion of Switzerland’s electricity production from renewable sources such as hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass. It aims to reduce Switzerland’s dependence on electricity imports and cut the risk of critical supply situations. It includes funding instruments and new regulations for electricity production, transport, storage, and consumption. It also introduces a mandatory hydropower reserve. While the experts welcome this new act, they note that the process of replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity is too slow because of weak climate regulations.

Financing of fossil fuel production abroad continues, and country only contributing about 60% of its fair share of climate finance

Switzerland produces no fossil fuel, though extremely expensive fossil fuel back-up plants are planned in the country. The Federal Council was informed on 14 May 2025 that the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) has selected five new reserve power plant projects with 583 MW of total capacity. The plants are expected to be operational from 2026. Swiss banks and insurance companies are also financing fossil fuel production abroad. The experts criticise the absence of rules for the financial sector, to stop financing and insuring fossil fuel production and expansion.

Internationally, Switzerland supports high ambitions in the UNFCCC processes and the multilateral approach.

The experts want Switzerland to raise its ambitions and push for net zero by 2035, or 2040 the latest. This greater cut could be achieved by implementing effective regulations in all sectors, especially traffic, agricultural, and financial. A phase-out for fossil fuels should also be put in place.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

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

• Georg Klingler (Greenpeace Switzerland)
• Delia Berner (Alliance Sud)
• Patrick Hofstetter (WWF Switzerland)
• Bettina Duerr (Fastenaktion)