Adaptation to climate change
Climate change is increasing the risk and frequency of heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall. To combat these and other effects of climate change, adaptation measures are needed alongside measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Challenges and solutions for adapting to climate change
Climate change poses new challenges for Switzerland. Heavy rainfall, heatwaves or summer droughts are already becoming increasingly noticeable. It is essential to adapt to current risks and future challenges. Coordination and knowledge sharing are essential to ensure that potential solutions are implemented efficiently and effectively.
Adaptation to climate change funding programme
Climate Change Adaptation Network
The Climate Change Adaptation Network brings together federal government, cantons, communes, cities, the business and scientific communities, and civil society, promoting dialogue on solutions and strategies for adapting to climate change.
Pilot programme 'Adaptation to climate change' (2013 - 2023)
Climate change is a reality to which Switzerland, like other countries, must adjust. To this end, the federal government has launched a pilot programme showing practical ways that Switzerland can adapt to the changing climate.
Climate Risk Analysis 2025
Climate change poses increasing risks to people and nature. The report “Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland” published by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) assesses these risks and estimates how they will develop up to 2060. Increasing heat stress continues to pose the greatest risk. Risks associated with summer drought have also risen.
‘Adaptation to climate change’ online tool for municipalities
Global warming is also increasing the risk of heat waves, summer droughts and heavy precipitation in Switzerland as elsewhere.
Global warming is having an increasingly noticeable impact on Switzerland, creating an urgent need for action. Rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events make measures necessary to protect against heat, summer drought, heavy precipitation, rockfalls, landslides and debris flows. Ecosystems such as forests and endangered habitats must be prepared for the changing climatic conditions. This is all the more important as global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and the effects of climate change will intensify in the coming decades.
With its Climate and Innovation Act, Switzerland has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050. The Climate and Innovation Act was approved by a clear majority of voters in June 2023. It also requires the federal government and the cantons to take measures to adapt to climate change and protect against its consequences.
Under the CO2 Act, the federal government is responsible for coordinating adaptation in Switzerland and ensuring that the necessary foundations are in place. The Federal Council's strategy for adapting to climate change sets the framework for coordinated action by federal offices. The action plan for implementation covering 2020–2025 sets out 75 concrete measures at the federal level.
Federal Council strategy and action plan for climate change adaptation in Switzerland
The action plan for implementing the adaptation strategy is based on an analysis of climate-related risks in Switzerland, which identifies the greatest climate change related risks for Switzerland.
The federal government, led by the FOEN, promotes and coordinates Switzerland's climate change adaptation across various levels.
This involves systematically developing solutions to current and future climate change risks in Switzerland:
- Challenges and solutions for adapting to climate change
- Adaptation to climate change funding programme
- Climate Change Adaptation Network