Indicators of driving forces, impact and response Download: www.bafu.admin.ch/uz-1308-e

The UN Climate Change Conference in Doha (Qatar) ended on 8 December 2012 with an agreement. The Kyoto Protocol will be continued until 2020 and the conclusion of a comprehensive climate agreement was confirmed for the post-2020 period. From the perspective of the Swiss delegation the conference achieved the minimum of what it set out to do.

Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard pleaded for a positive outcome to the negotiations at the climate summit in Doha. In her statement delivered to the plenary session she stressed how essential it is that all states contribute to the resolution of the climate problem. Switzerland would like to see progress being made here and hence supports the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol. Federal Councillor Leuthard, who is Head of the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, met several leading environmental politicians in Doha, including Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action.

On 30 November 2012 the Federal Council approved the new CO2 Ordinance, which enters into force along with the revised CO2 Act on 1 January 2013. These pieces of legislation establish the legal framework for Switzerland’s climate policy from 2013 to 2020.

Goals, challenges and fields of action. First part of the Federal Council’s strategy. Download: http://www.bafu.admin.ch/UD-1055-E

The 18th global climate change conference takes place from 26 November to 7 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar. In accordance with the mandate handed down to the Swiss delegation by the Federal Council on 21 November 2012, Switzerland will vote in favour of a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol if this measure has the support of other states. Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will represent the Federal Council at the ministerial segment of the conference from 5 to 7 December.

The third round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their emissions trading systems took place in Brussels on 26 October 2012. The aim of the future agreement is to create a joint market for carbon emission allowances.

The Board of the Green Climate Fund has recommended that Songdo, South Korea, be chosen as the permanent headquarters of the Fund. Geneva was also among the candidates considered. The Green Climate Fund was created to provide financial support for measures by developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

From 23 to 25 August 2012 Geneva will be hosting the first meeting of the Green Climate Fund Board. The Fund has been set up to manage a part of the USD 100 billion that the global community intends to invest in climate measures in emerging and developing countries from 2020. Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will be in Geneva on 23 August to welcome the Board. Switzerland is a candidate to host the Fund.

Switzerland currently holds the Presidency of the Alpine Convention. As part of this Presidency, it will be hosting the Alpine Conference and the first-ever AlpWeek in Switzerland from 5 to 8 September 2012.