Association Swissmechanic recommends yes to climate protection law
Swissmechanic, the association of Swiss SME-MEM companies, stands behind the compromise worked out in the Climate Protection Act and supports the referendum proposal of June 18, 2023. At the same time, however, the association points out that the Climate Protection Act primarily sets out climate policy targets and interim goals.
On June 18, 2023, the Swiss electorate will vote on the Federal Act of September 30, 2022, on climate protection targets, innovation and strengthening energy security (Climate Protection Act). The Climate Protection Act was passed by the National Council and the Council of States in the fall session of 2022. It is the indirect counter-proposal to the Glacier Initiative. The bill comes to a vote because the SVP had taken the referendum. The association Swissmechanic recommends the acceptance of the bill. According to a survey conducted in April 2023 among Swissmechanic member companies, 2/3 of the companies surveyed are in favor of the Climate Protection Act.
Flexibly advancing the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions ...
There is a high level of awareness of climate protection in the MEM industries in general and among Swissmechanic member companies in particular, writes the association. Many SME MEM companies, for example, have already done a lot of retrofitting in recent years and have implemented economically, technically and ecologically sensible solutions on their own responsibility.
The bill sets national interim targets for emissions reductions by 2050 and sets benchmarks for emissions reductions in the individual sectors - thus creating investment security for the Swiss economy and SME-MEM. The benchmark for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2040 gives industry the necessary flexibility to take account of any technological leaps and investment cycles.
Another important "flexibility plus", according to Swissmechanic, is that the effect of the remaining greenhouse gas emissions can be offset by the use of negative emission technologies in Switzerland, but also abroad. After all, it is irrelevant for the climate where CO2 is saved.
... without bans, but with start-up financing
For Swissmechanic, it is central that the climate protection law does not explicitly ban fossil fuels, because the association is committed to free-market, entrepreneurial solutions in climate and environmental protection and firmly rejects any bans on energy forms, technologies, production methods and the like. Due to the prevailing competitive pressure, companies have to produce in an energy-efficient manner anyway.
In situ, Swissmechanic supports earmarked start-up financing from the public sector. According to the bill, companies that voluntarily develop roadmaps for achieving the net zero target should be able to receive financial assistance for the application of novel technologies and processes.
MEM companies make an important contribution to a safer, more environmentally friendly and healthier Switzerland
"For our SME-MEM companies, innovation-friendly framework conditions and a secure as well as competitive energy supply are the elixir of life," says the Swissmechanic communiqué. This must be taken into account when drafting the decrees and legislative revisions that will follow in order to achieve the climate policy goals of the Climate Protection Act. This is the only way to strengthen Switzerland as a center of industry, technology and research, secure valuable jobs - especially in peripheral regions - and contribute to a sustainable future. "Because with their innovative technological solutions, our companies make an important contribution to a safer, more environmentally friendly and healthier Switzerland," Swissmechanic concludes.
Source and further information: Swissmechanic
