Swiss Federal Council Approves Landmark Climate Bill, Facing Opposition Concerns

Bern, Switzerland – The swiss Federal Council today approved a controversial climate bill aimed at reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.The legislation, officially titled the “Climate and Innovation Act,” passed with a 123-53 vote in the National Council and 24-16 in the Council of States after months of debate and revisions. the bill introduces a range of measures, including increased carbon taxes, subsidies for renewable energy projects, and stricter building standards.

The core of the bill centers around a carbon tax increase, rising from the current CHF 20 per tonne to CHF 120 by 2026. This increase is intended to incentivize businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. A critically important portion of the revenue generated from the carbon tax will be reinvested into climate-amiable technologies and infrastructure, with approximately CHF 2 billion earmarked for innovation projects over the next decade.Specifically, funding will be directed towards research and development in areas like carbon capture, lasting aviation fuels, and geothermal energy.

The bill also mandates stricter energy efficiency standards for new buildings and renovations. From 2026, all new constructions must adhere to “Minergie” standards, a Swiss certification for energy-efficient buildings. Existing buildings undergoing major renovations will also be required to meet enhanced energy performance criteria. Furthermore, the legislation provides financial incentives for homeowners to upgrade their heating systems to renewable alternatives like heat pumps, with subsidies reaching up to CHF 40,000 per household.

However, the bill has faced strong opposition from several quarters. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) vehemently criticized the legislation, arguing that it will harm the Swiss economy and increase the cost of living. SVP parliamentarian Andreas glarner stated, “This bill is a direct attack on Swiss competitiveness. It will drive businesses away and burden citizens with unneeded costs.” Concerns were also raised by some cantons, particularly those heavily reliant on fossil fuels, about the potential economic impact of the carbon tax. The cantonal government of Valais, for example, expressed reservations about the impact on its tourism industry.

Environmental organizations, while generally supportive of the bill, have expressed disappointment that it does not go far enough. Greenpeace Switzerland argued that the 50% reduction target is insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris agreement and called for more ambitious measures. “While this bill is a step in the right direction, it lacks the urgency and scale needed to address the climate crisis effectively,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Anja Sommer.

Background: Switzerland’s Climate Goals and Challenges

Switzerland has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the Paris Agreement. However, the country faces unique challenges in meeting these goals due to its mountainous terrain, reliance on imported energy, and high standard of living. Switzerland currently imports approximately 75% of its energy