FOEN: Switzerland must adapt to global warming

Switzerland will have to adapt to global warming. Since climate measurements began in 1864, the average temperature has risen by 2 degrees Celsius. The warming is thus more than twice as strong as the global average (0.9 °C). With a global average warming of no more than 2 degrees Celsius, as envisaged by the Paris Climate Agreement, the temperature in Switzerland could rise by an additional 1 to 3 degrees Celsius by 2060.

The consequences are already noticeable: Heat islands are forming in cities, there are local water shortages, steep mountain flanks in Alpine valleys are becoming more unstable, as also shown by the recent landslide in Bondo in the Grisons.

"Switzerland must not only reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, but also adapt to climate change to reduce the risks," said Marc Chardonnens, director of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, at a media conference in Bern on August 28, 2017.

Social challenges

The most important instrument in the global fight against warming is a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Switzerland has committed to reducing its emissions by 50 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. "Since warming can only be limited, adaptation to the effects of climate change is becoming increasingly important," said Marc Chardonnens, director of the FOEN.

Climate change must be understood as a challenge for society as a whole.

The rise in temperature and the change in the precipitation regime affect not only the environment, but also the economy and society.The Confederation coordinates adaptation measures and provides the foundations and knowledge needed for adaptation to climate change. These come, for example, from the research program on the effects of warming on forests or from the analysis of the consequences of climate change for the water balance (CCHydro).

Regional risk studies

"Since impacts differ from region to region, the cantons, the regions and the municipalities play an important role," says Marc Chardonnens. The FOEN has therefore conducted a risk analysis with case studies in eight cantons to outline the regional impacts of climate change. The results will be presented at the end of 2017.

Under the leadership of the FOEN, the Confederation also launched a pilot program in 2013 that uses specific projects to show how Switzerland can adapt to climate change. Four of the 31 projects in the pilot program were presented to the media on August 28, 2017 in Bern, Liestal (BL) and Jussy (GE).

Deal with heat waves 

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), for example, has shown that the consequences of summer heat waves can be mitigated for sensitive population groups. Ticino and several cantons in western Switzerland developed cantonal action plans for heat waves after the summer of 2003. In cities with such cantonal action plans, heat-related mortality has since decreased. In cities without such measures, no decrease was observed.

This work has created momentum and sensitized the authorities to the need for action. Numerous cantons, regions and municipalities have drawn up their own strategies and developed adaptation measures.

These efforts must be intensified. The consequences of climate change must be taken into account in all areas - environment, economy and society. In fact, it is better to prepare today rather than retroactively repair the damage caused by climate change. All the more so because the need for adaptation and the costs will increase with the expected rise in temperature. This requires everyone to get involved - cantons, regions, cities, municipalities, businesses and the population. "The consequences of climate change affect us all. Only together can we master these new challenges," emphasized Marc Chardonnens.

More details on how Switzerland could adapt to climate change can be found on the FOEN Homepage