Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Billions of francs approved to save Switzerland’s glaciers

Solar panels in Swiss Alps
A network of Alpine solar panels will be subsidised with new funding. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

A nationwide vote on banning fossil fuels in Switzerland has been averted after parliament agreed on a CHF3.2 billion ($3.3 billion) climate action package.

Supporters of the ‘Glacier Initiative’ say the new measures go some way to satisfying their demands for Switzerland to stand by the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The spending spree, which had previously been agreed by the House of Representatives, is also intended to address Switzerland’s immediate energy security that has been threatened by disrupted gas supplies to Europe caused by the Ukraine war.

The money will be spent on subsidising a network of Alpine photovoltaic plants, the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with sustainable alternatives and the renovation of buildings.

The Glacier Initiative committee said the plan would ensure that “effective and rapid climate protection can be realised in Switzerland” and signaled that the initiative will be withdrawn once both chambers of parliament finalise some smaller technical details.

The Glacier Initiative demanded a complete end to greenhouse gas emissions and a ban on fossil fuels by 2050. It gathered enough support in 2019 to force a nationwide vote on its objectives.

Attempts by the Swiss government to introduce measures to reduce greenhouse emissions have proved far from easy. In 2021, voters rejected a proposed C02 law to halve emissions by 2030 largely through new taxes.

Since then, the government has announced a goal of reducing emissions to zero by 2050.  Parliament is soon to debate the exact measures needed to ensure that this long-term target is met.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Army suspends 300-million-euro project for airspace surveillance

More

Swiss army suspends 300-million-euro project for airspace surveillance

This content was published on The army has suspended the project for two systems for airspace surveillance and fighter jet guidance for months. Parliament approved almost 320 million francs for "Skyview". The reason for the suspension is problems with the integration of the system.

Read more: Swiss army suspends 300-million-euro project for airspace surveillance
Murdered student: Paris asks Berne to extradite suspect

More

Murdered student: Paris asks Bern to extradite suspect

This content was published on On Wednesday, France submitted an extradition request to the Swiss authorities for the man suspected of murdering Philippine. This was announced Thursday morning by the French Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, on BFMTV.

Read more: Murdered student: Paris asks Bern to extradite suspect
GESDA takes a new step towards a global audience

More

GESDA takes a new step towards a global audience

This content was published on The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) is embarking on a new stage to confront the global public with the scientific challenges of the future.

Read more: GESDA takes a new step towards a global audience

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR