Switzerland's climate policy is geared towards ensuing that the earth does not warm up by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. It is therefore reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, along with the EU states and most other countries. At the same time, Switzerland must adapt to the impacts of global warming, impacts which can already be felt today. The climate policy goals are the subject of strategies and action plans, are established in legislation and are coordinated with other countries in international negotiations.
For the earth to warm by no more than 1.5° C compared to pre-industrial times, global greenhouse gas emissions must fall to net zero. Switzerland has set itself the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
It is not currently possible to remove greenhouse gases such as CO2 from the atmosphere on a significant scale, so the focus is on reducing emissions. Switzerland must also prepare for the impacts of unavoidable global warming. These requirements are set out in the Climate and Innovation Act (CIA) and the CO2 Act and are coordinated with other countries. Switzerland made international climate commitments when it ratified the Paris Agreement.
Goals and strategies of Swiss climate policy
Switzerland aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 (net-zero target). This goal is scientifically based, internationally agreed and anchored in Swiss strategies and laws. Switzerland has set out the path to achieving the net-zero target by 2050 in its long-term climate strategy. It also has a greenhouse-gas reduction target for the period 2021–30, which is to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. By meeting this reduction target, Switzerland is making its contribution under the Paris Agreement.
As the climate will continue to warm for decades even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, adaptation measures are already necessary today. The Federal Council’s climate change adaptation strategy provides a framework for a coordinated approach.
Finally, as it will not be possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions entirely, the Federal Council has drawn up a roadmap for carbon capture and storage.
Statutory basis and political affairs
The statutory basis for Switzerland's climate policy is the Climate and Innovation Act (CIA) and the CO2 Act and their associated ordinances (Climate Protection Ordinance and CO2 Ordinance).
The CIA provides the framework for Switzerland's medium- to long-term climate policy. It sets reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions and guideline values for individual sectors. It also contains two time-limited instruments to encourage carbon reductions in industry and the building sector.
The CO2 Act implements the reduction targets found in the CIA. It defines instruments to reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions and requires the federal government to coordinate climate change adaption measures.
The Federal Council may propose amendments to these statutory bases and explain them in an explanatory report.
International climate policy
In 1993 Switzerland ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and thereby committed to contributing to the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents serious disruption of the climate system.
The Paris Agreement, concluded in 2015 and ratified by Switzerland in 2017, lays the foundation for Switzerland's current and future climate protection efforts.
Further information
Last modification 22.09.2025
