International policy in different areas

Switzerland supports the development of a comprehensive, coherent, effective and efficient international regime for waste management, as well as improved co-operation with the private sector. Existing regulatory gaps should be closed.

Numerous global and regional agreements have been concluded to arrest the decline and ensure the sustainable use of global biodiversity and ecosystems. In the current decade, the efforts made by all of these agreements target the implementation of the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the attainment of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020.

Switzerland supports the development of a comprehensive, coherent, effective and efficient international regime for chemicals, as well as improved co-operation with the private sector.

The FOEN participates in international initiatives for the promotion of the green economy and shares its experience with other national programmes.

Greenhouse gas emissions do not respect national borders. Because climate change has had serious repercussions for Switzerland with its mountain ecosystem, a globally coordinated course of action for this Alpine country is essential. Switzerland is strongly committed to climate protection at an international level.

Since air pollutants do not recognise national borders, many air quality problems cannot be resolved by one country on its own. It is only possible to reduce air pollution if neighbouring countries also take appropriate measures. In view of this, Switzerland is actively involved in a variety of international organisations that focus on limiting air pollution in Europe.

Neighbouring countries of Switzerland use the water that flows across its borders. For decades, international agreements, treaties and bodies have been governing cooperation in this area and setting objectives for transboundary waters.