26.11.2020 – The third meeting of the Joint Committee on the linking of the emissions trading systems was held as a virtual conference on 26 November 2020. The Joint Committee discussed the current developments in climate policy and their significance for the Agreement. It also refined the framework for the operational implementation of the Agreement.
The Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the linking of the emissions trading systems is the first treaty of its kind in the world and came into force on 1 January 2020. The electronic linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading registries at the end of September 2020 was a key milestone in the Agreement’s implementation. As the Agreement is affected by the dynamic developments in climate policy in Switzerland, the EU and the rest of the world, it must therefore be constantly reviewed.
At its third meeting the Joint Committee discussed relevant developments such as the European Green Deal and the total revision of the Swiss CO2 Act, as well as their potential impact on the Agreement. It also advanced its work on an update of the Annexes to the Agreement, which is necessary for reasons including the partial revision of the CO2 Act for after 2020.
In connection with the operational implementation, the Joint Committee already adopted the Decisions 1/2020 and 2/2020 in writing on 5 November 2020, which in particular define the procedures and standards for linking the electronic registries (see Further information). During the meeting it also approved further technical documents relating to the linking of the registries and to security matters.
The Joint Committee meeting was chaired by Beatriz Yordi, Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action. The Swiss delegation was headed by Katrin Schneeberger, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment.
Last modification 07.09.2021
