CO2 statistics: Emissions from thermal and motor fuels

The CO2 statistics show the development in CO2 emissions from thermal and motor fuels and so illustrate the effectiveness of climate policy measures in the energy sector. As the amount of energy required for heating is heavily dependent on weather conditions, the CO2 statistics also show the development in CO2 emissions from thermal fuels corrected for weather conditions. The CO2 statistics are updated annually in July with the data up to the previous year.

A CO2 levy is raised on thermal fuels in Switzerland with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. Between 2008 and 2020, the CO2 levy was automatically increased periodically if CO2 emissions from thermal fuels exceeded legally prescribed thresholds. At present, legislation does not intend to further increase the CO2 levy. The CO2 levy is not raised on motor fuels, but fuel importers must offset CO2 emissions caused at a rate that increases over time. The CO2 statistics indicate the CO2 emissions from thermal and motor fuels.

Development in CO2 emissions from thermal and motor fuels (1990–2023 time series). CO2 emissions from thermal fuels (red) are corrected for weather conditions. The red crosses show the thresholds for the years 2012 onwards; whenever emissions exceeded the thresholds, the CO2 levy on thermal fuels was automatically increased. At present, legislation does not intend to further increase the CO2 levy. No CO2 levy is charged on motor fuels, but fuel importers must partially offset the CO2 emissions caused (blue).

Investigation of CO2 emissions from thermal and motor fuels

The overall energy statistics, annually published by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, forms the basis to estimate CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption. CO2 emissions are derived by multiplication of the declared energy amounts with the corresponding emission factors (see further information below).

Only CO2 emissions from thermal fuels are relevant for the CO2 levy. The consumption of thermal fuels strongly depends on weather conditions, thus the corresponding CO2 emissions are corrected for weather conditions before the confrontation with the thresholds for the CO2 levy. The correction for weather conditions takes into account outside temperature and insolation. Emissions are not corrected for weather conditions when assessing whether reduction targets have been achieved.

In accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emissions from international aviation and navigation are not included in motor fuels.

Emissionen von Treibhausgasen nach CO2-Gesetz und Übereinkommen von Paris (Version April 2025) (PDF, 1 MB, 15.04.2025)In German, also available in French

Emissionsübersicht: Tabellen zum Bericht (Version April 2025) (XLSX, 346 kB, 15.04.2025)Tabellen zum Bericht «Emissionen von Treibhausgasen nach CO2-Gesetz und Übereinkommen von Paris» (in German, also available in French)

Further information on the CO2 levy can be found on the following page: CO2 levy

Further information on the offsetting obligation for motor fuel importers can be found on the following page: CO2 compensation

Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE: Overall energy statistics

CO2-Emissionsfaktoren des schweizerischen Treibhausgasinventars (PDF, 250 kB, 31.01.2025)Zusammenstellung der CO2-Emissionsfaktoren und Energieinhalte verschiedener Energieträger, die im Treibhausgasinventar verwendet werden (in German, also available in French and Italian).