Co2 law toothless? – Was that it with the climate goals? – Radio SRF 1

With the revised CO₂ law from 2025 to 2030, Switzerland’s greenhouse gas emissions are to be halved by 2030 – compared to 1990. The long-term goal is clear: net zero. From 2050, Switzerland should not emit more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than is absorbed by natural and technical storage facilities. That’s what the people decided. 59.1 percent of those who voted said yes to the “Climate and Innovation Act” in June 2023.
Two years earlier, in June 2021, voters rejected the total revision of the CO₂ law. Last week, the National Council and the Council of States fought over the revised CO₂ law. In the final vote it was approved by both councils. The revised CO₂ law is valid from January 1, 2025 until the end of 2030.

The climate goals will not be achieved with the CO₂ law. The population approved the Climate Protection Act in June 2023, we now have to take the measures to achieve this. The CO₂ law is therefore the first missed opportunity to achieve effective measures and therefore clearly contradicts the will of the people. Especially in the transport sector, which accounts for 30% of CO₂ emissions in Switzerland, we have been unable to achieve our targets or reduce journeys for years.

No thanks

• According to the Federal Council’s proposal, 75% of greenhouse emissions should be reduced domestically.
  No, said the majority in the National Council and the Council of States. There is now no number in the revised Co2 law. However, Federal Councilor Albert Rösti promises that they want to save 2/3 of greenhouse gas emissions domestically.
• Promote electric charging stations in apartment buildings. 30 million each for six years, according to the Federal Council’s proposal.
  No, said the majority in the National Council and the Council of States.
• Reduction of CO₂ emissions from cars. Set annual interim targets until 2030.
  No, said the majority in the National Council and the Council of States. It is enough if we set the 2030 target.
• Raise luxury tax on private jets – a proposal from the Greens.
  No, said the majority in the National Council and the Council of States. This hinders Switzerland as a location.

The law is a compromise that takes liberal ideas into account to some extent. Ultimately, the climate goals can only be achieved through personal responsibility, an innovative economy and the regulation of immigration, and not through rigid state requirements. In addition, Switzerland is already doing very well in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Parliament agreed on this

• 120 francs per ton of CO₂: This tax remains.
• 4 billion: the Federal Council can use this money to invest in climate protection. The focus is on the building programs, but e.g. B. also research funding for renewable energies.

The discussion in the forum on March 21st, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Radio SRF 1

How will the climate goals be achieved? Through more legal requirements or better through personal responsibility and economic innovation? Two guests, both members of the National Council Commission for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy UREK, discuss with the audience.

• Aline Trede, National Councilor of the Greens, BE
• Mike Egger, National Councilor SVP, SG

In the forum, guests and listeners discuss how the climate goals can be achieved. More legal regulations or personal responsibility and economic innovation – your opinion in the comment field at the bottom of the page.