What the revised CO2 law aims to achieve
Large parts of the business community, as well as the Federal Council and Parliament, are in favor of the revised CO2 Act, which will be put to the vote on June 13, 2021. The total revision relies on a combination of financial incentives, investments and new technologies. "This will benefit the population and the economy," said Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga in explaining the position of the Federal Council and parliament. "With the investments, we strengthen climate protection and create orders and jobs in our country."
Science has already shown it several times: Climate change is leading to more heat waves and dry periods, while warmer winters are bringing heavy precipitation, debris flows and landslides. This increases the risk of roads, railroads and houses being buried. As an Alpine country, Switzerland is being hit particularly hard by climate change, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. Large parts of the economy, but also the Federal Council and Parliament, therefore want to further reduce CO2 emissions. To this end, they have revised the CO2 law. Because a referendum has been filed against it, it will be put to a popular vote on June 13, 2021.
The revised law aims to halve Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This is in line with the climate targets to which the 189 countries, including Switzerland, committed themselves in the Paris Agreement. Switzerland is thus also following the recommendations of science, as the Federal Council writes.
"Jobs with a future"
The revised CO2 Act (cf. here) continues to rely on a combination of financial incentives, investments and new technologies. The measures (cf. here) will be strengthened, however. The revised law uses incentive taxes to ensure that climate-friendly behavior pays off, according to the Federal Council. Investments in buildings and infrastructure would be supported and innovative companies strengthened. This would make it possible to renovate buildings in a climate-friendly manner, build charging stations for electric cars, procure electric buses for public transport and promote district heating networks. The law also helps mountain regions, cities and municipalities to mitigate the effects of climate change. In the transport sector, it ensures that vehicles that consume less gasoline and diesel come onto the market. This would reduce fuel expenses. The law is socially designed. The majority of the levies would be distributed back to the population. Every person, including children, would be credited with the same amount. Families in particular would benefit from this.
According to the Federal Council, Switzerland has spent around 80 billion francs on the import of crude oil and natural gas over the last ten years. This money is flowing abroad. "With the revised CO2 law, we are reducing our dependence on foreign oil companies and instead investing more money in Switzerland," said Federal Councillor Sommaruga. "This will benefit the population and the economy. With the investments, we strengthen climate protection and create jobs with a future. That is enormously important in times like now."
Cantons support CO2 law
"The CO2 Act gives additional impetus to the efforts of the cantons to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings," emphasized, for example, the President of the Government of Graubünden, Mario Cavigelli, President of the Conference of Cantonal Energy Directors (EnDK) and Head of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility of the Canton of Graubünden. The cantons have already done a lot in this area in recent years, he said, but the CO2 law brings additional planning security and investment incentives. "The common goal of the federal government and the cantons is to increase energy efficiency and make the heat supply renewable."
Broad support
The Federal Council and Parliament recommend that the electorate approve the revised CO2 Act on June 13, 2021. It is also supported by the cantons, the association of cities as well as the association of municipalities and the Swiss Working Group for Mountain Regions (SAB). In addition, it is supported by most political parties, environmental organizations, the mobility associations Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) and Verkehrs-Club Schweiz (VCS), as well as numerous business associations (e.g. Economiesuisse, Bankers Association, Swissmem, Bauen Schweiz, Baumeisterverband). See arguments here.
The Swisscleantech business association will hold an event on May 3, 2021 (cf. here) to better understand the CO2 law.
The following organizations, among others, are against the new CO2 law: the Automobile Club of Switzerland, the umbrella organization Swissoil, the petroleum association Avenergy Suisse or the Swiss Homeowners Association HEV (see arguments here). The Swiss Trade Association (SGV), for example, has decided not to vote on the CO2 referendum.
Source: Confederation, rs
6 types of households analyzed
The association energy-turnaround-yes.ch has calculated how socially acceptable the revised CO2 law is. Click here for the analysis of six household types for the years 2025/2030: Impact CO2 law on households_ewj_210318.
Consultation on the CO2 Ordinance
On April 14, 2021, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the CO2 Ordinance. This will allow clarity on the implementation issues before the vote on the revised CO2 Act. The CO2 Ordinance sets reduction targets for the various sectors and fleshes out the legal provisions that Parliament adopted with the revision of the CO2 Act. With the CO2 Act, Switzerland is building on its previous climate policy and strengthening it.
Click here for the federal information
