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.
Climate change affects people, nature and the economy in numerous ways. Dangerous climate disruptions such as more intense and frequent heavy rainfall and heatwaves, as well as more severe summer droughts, are already evident today and present new challenges for politics, the economy and society. Scientists agree that the effects of climate change will continue to intensify. To be prepared for future risks, proven adaptation measures must be continued and new approaches developed.
Climate risks and potential solutions
Based on systematic analysis, the greatest climate risks for Switzerland are increasing heat stress, worsening summer drought, growing risk of natural hazards, rising average temperatures and increasing changes in habitats and species composition. In addition, there are unexpected extremes and combined risks. Unexpected extremes refer to events that have never been experienced before but could occur in the future due to ongoing climate change. Combined risks occur when, for example, a period of drought affects both agriculture and also pushes the electricity supply to its limits because reservoirs threaten to run dry.
Switzerland is also affected by the impacts of climate change abroad. The risks arising from this include, in particular, uncertainties in food and electricity supplies.
Climate risks for Switzerland
- Increasing heat stress
- Increasing summer drought
- Growing risk of natural hazards
- Rising average temperatures
- Increasing changes in habitats and species composition
- Unexpected extremes and combined risks
- Impacts of climate change abroad
Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland
The Climate Risk Analysis assesses climate risks for Switzerland up to 2060. With the help of numerous experts from government, science and industry, the content and methodology of the first edition of the Climate Risk Analysis published in 2017 have been comprehensively reviewed and updated. The results serve as a basis for the federal government's future adaptation strategy and also for developing adaptation strategies and action plans in the cantons and regions.
Advancing solutions
Numerous solutions to the challenges posed by climate change are already known. Effective and promising projects have been implemented throughout Switzerland, particularly as part of the Pilot Programme for Adaptation to Climate Change (2013–2023).
Impulse für eine klimaangepasste Schweiz
Erkenntnisse aus 50 Projekten aus der zweiten Phase des Pilotprogramms Anpassung an den Klimawandel
(available in German, French and Italian)
Successful solutions must be consistently promoted, pursued and replicated. At the same time, innovative approaches must be developed for Switzerland's future adaptation to climate change. The federal government is supporting both objectives through its funding programme for climate change adaptation, which was launched in 2025.
Adaptation to climate change funding programme
Indicator/risk monitoring
Together with other federal offices and research institutes, the FOEN develops indicators that enable conclusions to be drawn about the effects of climate change on society and about adaptation measures.
Climate: Indicators
Thematic publications
Several publications offer support on specific adaptation-related topics:
Hitze in Städten
Grundlagen für eine klimagerechte Stadtentwicklung
Regenwasser im Siedlungsraum
Starkniederschlag und Regenwasserbewirtschaftung in der klimaangepassten Siedlungsentwicklung
(available in German, French and Italian)