More frequent heatwaves and dry periods, increasing natural hazards and changes to the diversity of fauna and flora – climate change is already having an impact on our environment today and will have an increasingly significant effect in future. Switzerland is committed to climate protection. In the Paris Agreement, it pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% until 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Because, however, global warming can be restricted to 1.5 °C in the best case, adapting to the effects of climate change is becoming more and more important. This platform provides current information about the adaptations being undertaken by the Swiss Confederation, cantons and municipalities.
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Federal Council strategyClimate change is having an effect on the environment, society and the economy in Switzerland. The Federal Council’s strategy sets out the framework for a coordinated approach by the Federal Offices in adapting to climate change. The adaptation strategy will be implemented with an action plan for the period 2020–25.
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Adaptation in the cantonsMany cantons, cities and municipalities are already actively addressing aspects of adaptation to climate change and have developed interpretative documents, strategies and action plans.
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Adaptation in the sectorsA wide range of activities and players in various sectors are contributing to the adaptation to climate change. The spectrum covers specific local measures, regional management plans and national research programmes.
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Pilot programme Climate scenarios show that the climate will continue to change. Adapting to the impact of climate change is becoming more and more important. To support the cantons, regions and municipalities in dealing with the new challenges, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has launched the pilot programme “Adaptation to climate change”. Participants are the Federal Offices for Civil Protection (FOCP), Energy (SFOE), Public Health (FOPH), Agriculture (FOAG), Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO), Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), Spatial Development (ARE) and Construction and Housing (BWO).
Further information
Documents
Adaptation to climate change in Switzerland
Action plan 2020–2025. Part 3 of the Federal Council strategy of 19 April 2020. 2020 (Only available in German, French and Italian)
Kriterien für Anpassungsmassnahmen (Only available in German and French) (PDF, 953 kB, 31.07.2018)Report on results 2018
Adaptation to climate change in Switzerland
Action plan 2014–2019. Part 2 of the Federal Council strategy of 9 April 2014. 2014 (Only available in German, French and Italian)
Goals, challenges and areas for action. Part 1 of the Federal Council strategy of 2 March 2012. 2012
Importance of the Federal Council strategy to the cantons. (Only available in German, French and Italian)
Last modification 22.01.2020
