Switzerland given green thumbs up

Switzerland does better in waste management than many of its neighbours Keystone Archive

Switzerland has earned plaudits for keeping pollution in check, but it is failing to adequately protect its endangered species.

A study of five European countries’ environmental track records shows Switzerland leading the field in combating so-called “classical” air pollutants from the burning of fossil fuels.

It did better than Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain despite spending less per head on environmental protection than all the other countries.

It did less well in a comparison on protections for endangered species, where Britain topped the table. Switzerland shared bottom spot with Germany.

The study, commissioned by the Federal Environment Office, compared the countries’ record in five areas.

Noise pollution

Switzerland also came out top in waste management, but ranked in the middle on wastewater treatment, and came fourth in controlling noise pollution.

The head of the environment office, Phillippe Roch, said he was pleased with the findings, particularly since his office has fewer resources than the others surveyed.

“I think Switzerland is doing comparatively well with fewer people. We have quite a small administration and we are used to working efficiently and in partnership with many private partners,” Roch said.

The agency works closely with business, non-governmental organisations and the cantons, which are heavily involved in the implementation of policies.

Roch said he hoped politicians would take note of the finding because “our politicians generally think we are too big an administration for the environment. And this study tends to show that we are achieving the same results as our neighbours with fewer people.”

Spending

The Environment Office also pointed out that federal spending on environmental protection in Switzerland is below the average for the countries studied. “At SFr71 per head it amounts to SFr22 less than the average commitment of financial resources for all five countries,” the agency said.

The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, suggests a direct correlation between the amount countries spend on environmental protection and the quality of their environment.

Denmark, which spends the most, was given top marks overall, while Britain, which came bottom of the list, spends the least.

Endangered species

Switzerland was ranked second overall, dragged down by the high level of noise pollution and its poor record on protecting endangered species. “The high noise levels were attributable to the high density of transportation and construction in Switzerland,” said Roch.

He added that better protections were in the pipeline. “One strategy which actually started about ten years ago was to create more protected areas.”

However, he cautioned that the results should not be over-interpreted. “We cannot confirm very precise figures from this study because it is not very easy to compare different administrations in different contexts with different competencies.”

Roch said the aim of the study was not to score points, but rather to help the environment office identify areas of improvement.

“This study helps us determine where we are doing well and where we can improve,” he said.

by Samantha Tonkin and Anna Nelson

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