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Indicator Climate

Topic Core indicator DPSIR Main topic
Climate Pressures
Chemicals Pressures

Greenhouse gas emissions

In Switzerland, the overall impact of human activities on the climate is, to a very large extent, determined by the quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted in response to energy needs. At present, transport is the most significant source of CO2 emissions in Switzerland, followed by industry and buildings. Agriculture is the main source of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions. 

Target according to Paris Agreement for 2030 2030: 26.2887192477002 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2030: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2029: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2028: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2027: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2026: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2025: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2024: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2023: 34.1753350220103 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2022: 34.1753350220103 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2023: 42.1461177882582 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2022: 40.4652270122964 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2021: 45.064307340164 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2020: 42.9171923296002 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2019: 43.6218432535883 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2018: 48.1301930253991 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2017: 46.7405917247629 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2016: 46.2527838320613 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2015: 50.275614018619 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2014: 45.6180503094493 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2013: 53.3281787073118 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2012: 52.3108047049103 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2011: 47.9979154487906 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2010: 53.2961734295091 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2009: 51.6435155388376 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2008: 53.5246913808706 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2007: 52.4568187176523 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2006: 55.3570830616842 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2005: 53.9054884317294 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2004: 50.8005655092826 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2003: 53.0020637695306 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2002: 51.3172601178812 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2001: 55.4261910772128 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2000: 57.9928959828342 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1999: 53.3393706607063 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1998: 51.3417580233523 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1997: 49.2348259468562 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1996: 47.1409085099897 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1995: 49.8659653594032 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1994: 51.2201461096622 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1993: 48.901828979811 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1992: 52.1101418861147 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1991: 50.24361298066 GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1990: 52.5774384954004 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2023: 40.8469196814673 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2022: 41.8947068067408 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2021: 45.4552954115289 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2020: 44.1399718414017 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2019: 46.7668570960545 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2018: 47.010328210847 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2017: 48.5622890845564 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2016: 49.457376595644 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2015: 49.1020231812739 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2014: 49.614682141582 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2013: 53.5610782520614 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2012: 52.7369815364705 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2011: 51.3560309271759 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2010: 55.5070925036045 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2009: 53.9079892246754 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2008: 55.3880316941241 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2007: 54.017791982881 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2006: 55.9227824417383 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2005: 56.3025462381864 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2004: 55.6247369603316 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2003: 55.0374899202741 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2002: 54.0044356717461 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2001: 55.5777616823822 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2000: 54.0654292821602 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1999: 54.7259364684243 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1998: 54.9440333210519 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1997: 53.4157633533365 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1996: 54.6175229187634 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1995: 54.0362851825027 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1994: 53.145823647842 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1993: 54.2347673826862 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1992: 56.8141916183193 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1991: 57.0796381449563 GHG emissions without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1990: 55.2438938609896
Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Federal Office for the Environment: Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Target according to Paris Agreement for 2030 2030: -50 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2030: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2029: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2028: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2027: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2026: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2025: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2024: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2023: -35 Average target according to Paris Agreement for 2021-2030 2022: -35 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2023: -19.8399180440385 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2022: -23.0368991524066 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2021: -14.2896485074937 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2020: -18.3733678213428 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2019: -17.0331524282902 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2018: -8.45846735266564 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2017: -11.101428555041 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2016: -12.029217938969 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2015: -4.37796998608589 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2014: -13.2364534772076 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2013: 1.42787521301 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2012: -0.507125866379787 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2011: -8.71005354703697 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2010: 1.36700256740652 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2009: -1.77628082175305 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2008: 1.80163376645492 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2007: -0.229413568252579 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2006: 5.28676300296935 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2005: 2.52589318600065 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2004: -3.37953509521626 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2003: 0.807618792930254 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2002: -2.3968044347186 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2001: 5.41820344112354 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2000: 10.299964476032 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1999: 1.44916182132486 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1998: -2.35021048459065 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1997: -6.35750360648821 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1996: -10.3400434501698 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1995: -5.15710390918799 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1994: -2.58151105223001 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1993: -6.99084934674205 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1992: -0.888777815462771 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1991: -4.43883456769119 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 with the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1990: 0 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2023: -26.0607520095333 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2022: -24.1640951085733 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2021: -17.7188785317917 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2020: -20.0998178143067 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2019: -15.3447488445798 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2018: -14.9040284359042 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2017: -12.0947390009222 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2016: -10.4744920405253 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2015: -11.1177367315391 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2014: -10.1897446504629 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2013: -3.04615676288619 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2012: -4.53789939360041 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2011: -7.03763377649799 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2010: 0.476430287982921 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2009: -2.41819419839547 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2008: 0.260911791441054 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2007: -2.21943420786711 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2006: 1.22889342749262 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2005: 1.9163246889524 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2004: 0.689384966780793 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2003: -0.373623085358321 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2002: -2.24361119866451 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2001: 0.604352441615919 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 2000: -2.13320332161012 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1999: -0.937583063693226 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1998: -0.542793997635727 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1997: -3.30919922526322 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1996: -1.13382837169723 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1995: -2.18595865368507 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1994: -3.79783188061831 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1993: -1.82667514502629 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1992: 2.84248203300268 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1991: 3.32298133905258 Change in GHG emissions compared to 1990 without the greenhouse gas balance of land use 1990: 0
Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Federal Office for the Environment: Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Comment

In 2023, Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions, without the greenhouse gas balance of land use, amounted to 40.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents.This represents a 26% reduction relative to 1990. If the greenhouse gas balance of land use is taken into account, Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 amounted to 42.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which represents a reduction of 19.8% compared to 1990.

Developments differed from sector to sector: at 34%, transport accounted for the largest proportion of total emissions (without the greenhouse gas balance of land use) in 2023. Emissions have only slightly decreased compared to the previous year and were 8% below 1990. In 2023, industry emitted 32% less CO2 equivalents relative to 1990. Emissions in the building sector in 2022 were 46% lower than in 1990. Overall, other emissions fell by 13% relative to 1990. The data from the National Forest Inventory show that, since the 1990s, Swiss forests have tended to absorb and store less CO2 per year.

The CO2 Act introduced several measures intended to reduce emissions in the various sectors, including the CO2 levy on thermal fuels combined with contributions to the federal Buildings Programme, emission regulations for new vehicles, the Emission Trading Scheme for energy-intensive industries and an obligation for importers to compensate for some of the CO2 emissions attributable to motor fuels.

Under the Paris Agreement, Switzerland is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 % compared with the 1990 level by 2030 (orange triangle) and by an average of at least 35 % over the 2021–2030 period (green dotted line). The greenhouse gas emissions taken into account for the target achievement review include the greenhouse gas balance of land use (orange line). In addition, Switzerland may take into account reductions achieved abroad in the calculation of its emission targets.

By 2050, the impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland should be zero (net zero target).

Information on the reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and the CO2 Act for the individual periods is available on the following page: Switzerland’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

International comparison

Under the Climate Convention (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, the greenhouse gas emissions of all industrialised countries are calculated in accordance with detailed guidelines. Expert panels review compliance with the guidelines. The UNFCCC greenhouse gas inventories are used by a number of international organisations (e.g., by the European Environment Agency EEA, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, and the Commission on Sustainable Development CSD).

Method

The data are taken from Switzerland's Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This is produced by the FOEN annually in accordance with the guidelines of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The methodology is documented in detail in the National Inventory Document and is in line with the technical guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This indicator shows the total of all greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, expressed in million tonnes of CO2-equivalent, i.e. the various non-CO2 greenhouse gases are converted into CO2-equivalents in accordance with their specific environmental impact. Methodological changes or the availability of new data may require a recalculation of the entire time series since 1990.

Basis for assessment of the trend
Targeted trend Initial value Final value Approach to the theoretical path in % Observed trend Assessment
26.289 mio t CO2eq in 2030 2008 2023 61.27% Towards theoretical path unsatisfactory
Basis: GHG emissions with the greenhouse gas balance of land use

*Als Anfangswert für die Bewertung wird 2008 – das Jahr der Einführung der CO2-Abgabe – betrachtet. Mit der Einführung der CO2-Abgabe scheint bei den Emissionen eine Trendwende eingesetzt zu haben.

 
Last updated on: 15.04.2025

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