Switzerland has made international commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and is thus helping to limit global warming. What strategy does Switzerland want to use to achieve its climate targets? Where does Switzerland stand today?
Switzerland ratified the UN Climate Convention in 1993 and thus committed to contribute to the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system.
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 04.04.2023
