Switzerland pursues an active climate policy aimed at reducing the risks and impact of climate change. It campaigns at the international level for clear rules – most recently in the Paris Agreement – and has had a national legal basis for the implementation of climate goals since 1999 in the form of the CO2 Act.
The Paris Agreement has three objectives:
- To limit global warming to well below 2 or preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius. For this to happen, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to net zero;
- To increase the ability to adapt. Here it is necessary to develop strategies to deal with climate change;
- To make finance flows compatible with the climate in order to bring investments in line with the reduction targets and improved adaptability.
Switzerland recognised these three objectives when it ratified the Paris Agreement in October 2017. The CO2 Act forms the national legal basis for the implementation of the international commitments. It defines efficient tools for the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and obliges the Confederation to coordinate measures for adapting to climate change.
Last modification 29.12.2020