Contents
Another climate conference has come to an end, but in the end there was at least some success. But how productive are these climate conferences really? Join the discussion in the SRG offer “dialog”!
There was enough vague wording in the final document. Countries must turn away from fossil fuels so that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees can still be achieved. There was a hard fight for this passage at the climate conference in Dubai until Wednesday night. The oil producing states in particular resisted any commitment in this direction.
The exhibition of the COP Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Convention was great. 97,000 participants from almost 200 nations met in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, including numerous private business representatives who flew all over the world to attend this major event. And are these final results big enough, especially compared to the CO₂ that will inevitably be emitted?
Legend:
Keystone/EPA/Martin Divisek
There is no lack of facts that speak for rapid action against global warming: 2023 is not only expected to be the hottest year since measurements began, but also the one with the highest human-caused CO₂ emissions: a whopping 36.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide were released, according to the study “Global Carbon Budget 2023” was released this year. This means that the proportion of CO₂ in the air is on average 51% higher than it was in 1750.
Despite global efforts, emissions continue to rise. Time to resign? “No,” at least a large proportion of people in Switzerland think. In the “How is Switzerland” survey, which was carried out in spring 2023 by GFS Bern on behalf of SRG, only 10% of those surveyed said that they believe climate change is unstoppable and that people can do nothing about it. 24% partially agreed with the statement. Conversely, almost two thirds (65%) of those surveyed do not share this opinion.
And Switzerland?
Federal Councilor Albert Rösti, who is also responsible for environmental and climate issues, also traveled to the conference in Dubai. There he also called on the global community to say goodbye to coal, oil and gas and to triple the use of renewable energy sources and double their efficiency by 2030. A clear statement – especially in view of Rösti’s past at SwissOil.
The SVP Federal Council also highlighted what Switzerland is already doing to combat climate change and called on other countries to also do more.
Is it appropriate to take this view that Switzerland can rest on its laurels, so to speak, and that other countries have to “catch up” when it comes to climate protection? The majority of those surveyed in the “How is Switzerland” survey see it completely differently: almost three quarters of those surveyed (72%) are somewhat or completely of the opinion that Switzerland has a responsibility in the fight against climate change even if others countries would not follow suit.
And 69% of those surveyed see climate change as a serious problem and think that there is an immediate need for action – only 10% think that humans can easily adapt to climate change.
Was enough done at the COP? What do you think? Join the discussion now in the new weekly debate on the SRG offer “dialog”!