Climate change is causing temperatures to rise around the globe, mainly as a result of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). Sources of this gas include heating systems that use oil or aircraft burning kerosene. In Switzerland, the effects of climate change are being felt most acutely by the agricultural and tourism industries. Heat waves, droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, there is a lack of snow in winter and landslides are more common. The Federal Council and Parliament therefore aim to reduce Switzerland’s CO2 output even further. They plan to achieve this by completely revising the CO2 Act. Opponents have called a referendum.

The revised CO2 Act will allow Switzerland to build on and reinforce its current climate policy. The Act contains a range of measures that aim to further reduce CO2 output by 2030, continuing to rely on a combination of financial incentives, investments and new technologies. Climate-friendly behaviour will be rewarded, while anyone who causes a large amount of CO2 to be produced, for example frequent flyers, will have to pay more. Investments in buildings and infrastructure will receive support and innovative businesses promoted. Examples of such investment include building refurbishment and charging stations for electric vehicles’. Furthermore, the revised Act will require all new vehicles on the market to consume less petrol or diesel.