Switzerland's climate policy aims to ensure that the earth does not warm up by more than 1.5 degrees Celcius. To achieve this goal, the Federal Council decided in 2019 that Switzerland should its reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This net-zero target is also established in the Climate and Innovation Act, which came into force in 2025.
Net zero means that only as many greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere as are removed and stored in natural sinks such as forests or in technical sinks, e.g. lasting underground carbon storage.
Sound scientific basis
To ensure that the earth does not warm by more than 1.5 °C and that there are no serious disruptions to the climate system, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to net zero by 2070 at the latest, and carbon emissions by 2050. This is stated in the special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) on global warming of 1.5 °C. Based on this, the Federal Council decided in August 2019 that Switzerland should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 (net-zero target). This target thus has a sound scientific basis.
A long-term strategy
Food production, waste incineration and other processes are still expected to produce greenhouse gases in 2050. These emissions, which are difficult to avoid, must be offset by processes or technologies that remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely. However, the options for storing carbon are limited and the technical processes are complex. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is therefore the most important factor in achieving the net-zero target. Switzerland's long-term climate strategy sets out how this can be achieved.
Basis for further targets
The net-zero target is set out in the Climate and Innovation Act (CIA). This was approved by the electorate in June 2023 and came into force on 1 January 2025. It provides for interim targets for the year 2040 as well as the periods 2031–40 and 2041–50.
The CIA also sets out guideline targets for the buildings, transport and industry sectors. It stipulates that all businesses must have achieved their net-zero targets by 2050 at the latest. In the Federal Administration, the target is set at 2040.
Further information
Last modification 19.08.2025
