Goals and strategies of Swiss climate policy
The Federal Council has developed a strategic basis and formulated climate policy goals to ensure that global warming does not exceed 1.5 °C and that Switzerland can adapt to the impacts of climate change, which are already being felt today. These have been enshrined in legislation by Parliament and approved by the electorate.
Long-term climate strategy to 2050
The Paris Agreement calls on countries to develop a long-term climate strategy. Switzerland’s strategy shows how it can attain the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
2030 reduction target (for the years 2021 to 2030)
Switzerland has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. To this end, Switzerland is implementing climate protection measures both at home and abroad.
Previous reduction targets and target achievement review
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 would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol established the first internationally binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions for member states. Within the framework of two commitment periods, Switzerland engaged in concrete objectives and corresponding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Net-zero target 2050
Switzerland's climate policy aims to ensure that the earth does not warm up by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this goal, the Federal Council decided in 2019 that Switzerland should its reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This net-zero target is also established in the Climate and Innovation Act, which came into force in 2025.
Roadmap to capture, remove and store carbon
If Switzerland is to achieve its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it needs carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and negative emissions technologies (NETs) for emissions that are difficult to avoid. These technologies are not yet widely available. On 18 May 2022, the Federal Council approved a report that sets out measures and conditions that will promote the expansion of CCS and NETs to the required extent by 2050.
Climate change adaptation in Switzerland – strategy and action plan
National targets and strategies are important instruments for limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 °C. To achieve this, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to such an extent that they do not exceed the amount removed from the atmosphere (net-zero target). Switzerland has set itself the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These guidelines have a sound scientific basis and are widely accepted internationally and socially.
Net-zero target and long-term climate strategy
Switzerland has set out the path to achieving the net-zero target by 2050 in its long-term climate strategy. This target is established in the Climate and Innovation Act. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced as much as possible. Remaining emissions that are difficult to avoid from industry (especially the cement industry), waste utilisation and agriculture must be offset by carbon capture and storage technologies.
Long-term climate strategy to 2050
Roadmap to capture, remove and store carbon
2030 and 2035 reduction targets
For the 2021–30 period, Switzerland is pursuing two specific reduction targets for its greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990:
- Minimum of 50% reduction by 2030
- Average reduction of 35% for the years 2021–30
These targets are established in the CO2 Act.
Under the Paris Agreement, Switzerland is required to improve its reduction targets every five years (National Determined Contribution, NDC). Switzerland submitted its targets for the 2021–30 period back in 2017, while those for the years 2031–35 were approved by the Federal Council in January 2025.
By 2035, Switzerland aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65 per cent compared to 1990 levels, and by 59 per cent on average between 2031 and 2035. It must report regularly on the development of its greenhouse gas emissions.
verminderungsziel-2035
Carbon capture and storage
It is not possible to avoid all greenhouse gas emissions. The Federal Council's long-term climate strategy of January 2021 shows that greenhouse gas emissions that are difficult to avoid are likely to remain in 2050, particularly from industry, waste utilisation and agriculture. That is why additional technologies are needed to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it permanently. The FOEN and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy have drawn up a roadmap to this effect.
Roadmap to capture, remove and store carbon
Climate change adaptation strategy
Climate warming will continue for decades to come, even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced in line with targets. The Federal Council’s climate change adaptation strategy and associated action plan provide a framework for the federal offices to take a coordinated approach to climate change adaptation measures going forward.
Climate change adaptation in Switzerland – strategy and action plan
Further information
Sector Climate
Sector Climate
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