The initiative was handed in back in 2019.
Keystone / Peter Klaunzer
Swiss voters will not decide on the glacier initiative following a decision by campaigners to withdraw their proposal in favour of the indirect counter-proposal.
The initiative committee wrote of a conditional withdrawal. They are confident that the counter-proposal will find a majority at the ballot box, they announced on Wednesday.
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party has announced a referendum against the proposal. In its press release, the committee accused the party of fomenting panic and fear in a crisis situation where common solutions are needed.
Parliament passed the counter-proposal in the autumn session. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050 with concrete reduction targets in the law and support programmes.
Among other things, this involves the replacement of heating systems, and concrete interim targets are also envisaged. The initiative, on the other hand, favoured bans and a new constitutional provision.
The withdrawal of the initiative doesn’t come as a surprise; the committee had already announced the move in advance.
One of its members is quoted as saying that this would ensure a quick path to a climate-friendly Switzerland and that the country would assume its responsibility.
Popular Stories
More
Aging society
Is Switzerland repeating England’s housing mistakes?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
This content was published on
Emergency crews contained the oil and began removing some of the pollution from the water’s surface, said the St Gallen cantonal police on Sunday.
Switzerland lifts sanctions on Syria after Assad’s fall
This content was published on
Switzerland is lifting economic sanctions on Syria, but targeted measures against figures linked to the former regime remain in place.
Thousands march in Bern calling for Gaza ceasefire
This content was published on
More than 10,000 people – or up to 20,000, according to organisers – marched through central Bern on Saturday afternoon in support for Gaza.
Zurich Pride draws large crowds amid financial strain
This content was published on
Following US President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity initiatives, Zurich Pride fears more sponsors could pull out and is now facing financial difficulties.
Switzerland ‘deeply alarmed’ by Middle East escalation
This content was published on
Switzerland has voiced serious concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, and the UN chief says he is ‘alarmed’ by US strikes on Iran.
Switzerland among world’s most expensive for household electricity
This content was published on
According to a study by the comparison site Verivox, based on data from Global Petrol Prices, Switzerland came in tenth out of 143 countries.
Global uncertainty boosts Swiss-EU talks, says Cassis
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis says Switzerland’s talks with the European Union (EU) have been boosted by the current difficult global situation.
This content was published on
Campaigners have handed in a “Glacier Initiative” calling on the Swiss authorities to dramatically step up efforts to cut greenhouse gases by 2050.
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.