Switzerland

Switzerland falls 12 places to 33rd, remaining an overall medium performer in this year’s CCPI. The country receives a medium rating in GHG Emissions and Energy Use, and low in Renewable Energy and Climate Policy.

The drop in the overall ranking is mainly due to Switzerland’s declined ranking for climate policy.

The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is divided into domestic and overseas emissions reduction components, as Switzerland has clearly stated that part of the reductions will be achieved by supporting action abroad. The overall target is a reduction of ‘at least’ 50% from 1990 levels by 2030.

Reworked CO2 Act still Not Enough

The CCPI national experts generally report governmental reluctance toward taking more action on climate change mitigation. This can be seen in the low political acceptance of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment of April 2024. More than 2,500 senior woman from Switzerland complained about the government’s inaction in protecting them, as their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves linked to climate change. Before the ECtHR, the complainants alleged the Swiss government had failed to respond seriously to their requests for measures to combat climate change.

In March 2024, the Swiss Parliament adopted a reworked version of the CO2 Act, including reduction measures for 2025–2030. However, the measures do not correspond to the 50% by 2030 reduction target. Rather, they are only expected to lead to a domestic reduction of 30–35%.

The experts criticise the absence of regulations for the agricultural, industrial, and financial sectors, and no possibilities of combatting the high consumption levels.

The experts welcome the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources, which the Swiss parliament approved in autumn 2023 and 68.7% of the Swiss electorate accepted in June 2024. The law is based on how energy supplies are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain at all times. International conflicts and the electricity supply’s restructuring in Europe create a risk of being unable to import sufficient electricity, especially in the winter. At the same time, Switzerland’s electricity demand will increase. The proposed legislation lays the groundwork for Switzerland to rapidly increase its production of electricity from renewable energy sources to secure its supply.

No Fossil Fuel Production, But Other Support for Fossil Fuels Persists

There is no fossil fuel production in Switzerland, though extremely expensive fossil fuel back-up plants are planned in the country. 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 the financing and insuring of fossil fuel production and expansion.

Internationally, Switzerland supports high ambitions in the UNFCCC processes. However, the experts call for increased climate finance to achieve a fair share, as Switzerland contributes only around 60% of its fair share. Albert Rösti, a former oil lobbyist was appointed as new environment minister. This move is expected to affect Switzerland’s role as a frontrunner in climate negotiations.

The CCPI experts call on Switzerland to raise its ambitions toward reducing the country’s GHG emissions, both domestically and abroad, to be compatible with the Paris 1.5°C target. In particular, Switzerland should focus on the rather weak policies leading up to 2030, which foresee only a 34% reduction from 1990 levels, rather than 50%, as is defined in the Swiss NDC. This greater cut could be achieved by implementing effective regulations in all sectors, especially for the traffic, agricultural, and financial sectors.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

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

• Georg Klingler & Nathan Solothurnmann (Greenpeace Switzerland)
• Alliance Sud