Linking the emission trading systems of Switzerland and the EU: Negotiation process

Switzerland and the EU have been negotiating the possibility of linking their emissions trading systems since 2011. Both the Federal Council and the EU Council of Ministers issued a corresponding negotiating mandate. The technical negotiations were concluded in January 2016 with the initialling of an agreement. The agreement was signed on 23 November 2017 in Berne. Following its approval by the EU and by the Swiss Parliament, it was ratified by Switzerland and the EU in December 2019 and entered into force on 1 January 2020.

9.12.2019 - Ratification of the agreement

The Agreement on the linking of the Swiss and EU emissions trading schemes (ETS) has been ratified by the representatives of both parties and will come into force on 1 January 2020. Linking the Swiss ETS with that of the EU will be beneficial for both environmental policy and the economy. From 2020 onwards, companies in the Swiss ETS will be able to trade emission allowances in the larger EU emissions market. In addition, emissions from civil aviation will be included in the Swiss ETS, as is already the case in the EU. The linking of the two schemes marks the first ETS linking between states anywhere in the world.

Brussels, 5.12.2019 – Meeting of the Joint Committee on the linking of the emissions trading systems

The second meeting of the Joint Committee on the linking of the emissions trading systems was held in Brussels on 5 December 2019. The Joint Committee adopted amendments to the Annexes to the Agreement, which will take effect on the date of entry into force of the Agreement.

23.11.2017 - Signature of the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the linking of their emissions trading schemes

Das Abkommen zur Verknüpfung der Emissionshandelssysteme der Schweiz und der EU wurde am 23. November 2017 in Bern in Anwesenheit der Bundespräsidentin Doris Leuthard und des EU-Kommissionspräsidenten Jean-Claude Juncker unterzeichnet. Damit das Abkommen in Kraft treten kann, müssen die Parlamente der Schweiz und der EU der Ratifikation zustimmen.

16.08.2017

Linking of the Swiss and European emissions trading systems: big step forward

Switzerland and the European Union are preparing to link their emissions trading systems. The Federal Council approved the signing of the corresponding agreement at its meeting of 16 August 2017. The European Commission has also adopted proposals for the signature and ratification of the agreement and has submitted them to the Council of the European Union for approval. The agreement could be signed before the end of this year. Its ratification must then be approved by the Swiss and European parliaments.

25.01.2016

Negotiations on linking of Swiss and EU emission trading schemes concluded

Negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) on linking their emissions trading schemes have concluded. Bruno Oberle, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment (until the end of 2015), Dominique Paravicini, Deputy Director of the Directorate for European Affairs (DEA), and Jos Delbeke, Director General of the EU’s Directorate-General for Climate Action, have initialled the agreement. The expansion of the international CO2 market by linking national or regional emissions trading schemes can provide an effective means of combating climate change.

Seventh round of Swiss-EU negotiations on linking of emissions trading systems

Brussels, 26.3.2015 – The seventh round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their emissions trading systems were held in Brussels on 26 March 2015. The inclusion of aviation in the system was also discussed.

6. Verhandlungsrunde Schweiz - EU zur Verknüpfung der Emissionshandelssysteme

Brüssel, 19.9.2014 – Am 19. September 2014 hat die sechste Verhandlungsrunde zwischen der Schweiz und der Europäischen Union im Hinblick auf eine Verknüpfung ihrer jeweiligen CO2-Emissionshandelssysteme stattgefunden.

12.12.2013

Fifth Round of Swiss-EU Negotiations on Linking their Emissions Trading Systems

On 11 December 2013, the fifth round of negotiations were held between Switzerland and the European Union with a view to linking their respective CO2 emissions systems. The draft agreement was also fine-tuned.

09.07.2013

Fourth Round of Swiss-EU Negotiations on Linking of Emissions Trading Systems

The fourth round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their respective CO2 emissions trading systems was held in Zurich on 8 July 2013. Further progress was made at the negotiations. The aim of completing the technical negotiations by the end of the year was corroborated.

26.10.2012

Third round of Swiss-EU negotiations on linking of emissions trading systems

The third round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on the linking of their emissions trading systems took place in Brussels on 26 October 2012. The aim of the future agreement is to create a joint market for carbon emission allowances.

20.09.2011

Second round of Swiss-EU negotiations on linking emissions trading systems

The second round of negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on linking trading systems for carbon emissions allowances has taken place in Zurich. Under an agreement on this issue, the two Parties would recognise each other’s emission allowances and Swiss businesses would gain access to the significantly larger and more liquid European emissions market.

09.03.2011

First formal round of negotiations held with EU for linking of emissions trading systems

Switzerland and the EU entered into negotiations on 8 March 2011 with a view to linking their systems for the trading of CO2 emissions allowances. An agreement enshrining the mutual recognition of emissions allowances would give Swiss companies access to the considerably larger and more liquid European emissions market and, therefore, greater flexibility in the fulfilment of their emissions targets.

Further information

Law

Abkommen zwischen der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft und der Europäischen Union zur Verknüpfung ihrer jeweiligen Systeme für den Handel mit Treibhausgasemissionen