2010 reduction target (for the years 2008 to 2012)
In order to curb dangerous anthropogenic interference with the Earth’s climate system, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol established the first internationally binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions for member states. In the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, Switzerland was internationally obliged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012 by an average of 8 per cent compared with 1990 levels. Switzerland was able to meet this target by taking into account accountable emission reductions from projects abroad and the accountable greenhouse gas balance of Swiss forests.
Switzerland successfully implemented the international reduction target for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol with the CO2 Act. The measures focused on reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels. The target at national level was to reduce these emissions by 10 per cent compared with 1990 (a reduction of 15 per cent for thermal fuels and 8 per cent for motor fuels, excluding aviation fuels for international flights). The final balance for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is shown in the table below.
Switzerland’s average annual greenhouse gas emissions over the years from 2008 to 2012 amounted to 52.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. In order to achieve the target value of 48.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, the accountable greenhouse gas balance of Swiss forests (net absorption of 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year) and the purchase of foreign emission reduction certificates could be taken into account. The Confederation had agreed with the Climate Cent Foundation that the latter would surrender to the Confederation foreign emission reduction certificates amounting to 2.8 million to 3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents each year. In addition, a small number of foreign emission reduction certificates were submitted by companies exempt from the CO2 levy in fulfilment of their reduction commitments. In contrast, surplus emission allowances held by companies participating in emissions trading and carried over to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol were not eligible in the first commitment period (0.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year).
The balance of these elements resulted in a slight overachievement of the reduction target for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol of around 0.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year.
Further information
Sector Climate
Sector Climate
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