Minister makes online call for climate effort
Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger has called on emerging economies to increase efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
In a video message launched during a United Nations climate meeting in New York, Leuenberger said not only industrialised countries must contribute to protecting the environment.
He said Switzerland supported the introduction of a CO2 tax to fund projects in the developing world. These projects are aimed at helping the countries adapt to climate change.
Leuenberger appealed for more responsibility and solidarity among the countries of the world.
"The glaciers in the Swiss Alps are melting very fast. There are an increasing number of rockfalls on the Matterhorn," he said. But at the same time the Pacific islands of Tuvalu risked being flooded by rising sea levels.
Leuenberger is among around 100 heads of state and government attending panel discussions on the eve of this year's UN General Assembly.
The video is accessible on the websites of the UN, the Federal Environment Office and on YouTube.
Urs Geiser, swissinfo.ch and agencies
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