Swiss and US stress need for ‘ambitious’ climate measures
Simonetta Sommaruga visiting a wind farm in Senegal in July
Keystone / Anthony Anex
Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga and John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, have called for a rapid phase-out of coal energy and ambitious efforts by the G20 countries to reduce climate-damaging emissions.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ts
In a virtual exchange ahead of the COP26 climate conferenceExternal link in Glasgow in November, they agreed that robust rules were needed for the crediting of emission reductions achieved abroad, according to a statementExternal link issued by the environment ministry on Thursday.
Greenhouse gas emissions that one country reduces in another country should not be able to be counted in both countries, nor should the environment be burdened, they said.
Kerry emphasised that the G20 countries in particular should lead the way with ambitious emission reduction measures.
He informed Sommaruga that the US intended to increase significantly its financial support for climate policy in developing countries. Both countries agreed that financial support had to be strengthened, but that the donor base must be broadened for this to happen: wealthier emerging countries should also support the poorest countries in their efforts.
Kerry also called for the rapid phasing out of coal energy and a stop to the financing of this harmful form of energy. Switzerland said it, too, was working within the framework of international institutions to ensure that no more new coal-fired power plants were financed.
More
More
Swiss think it’s vital that other people reduce CO2 emissions
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss believe it’s important to avoid emissions in their everyday lives, although fewer are likely to back up their views with action.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss CO2 law defeated at the ballot box
This content was published on
Swiss voters have rejected legislation at the heart of the country’s strategy to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Swiss solar power breaks records but still misses targets
This content was published on
Despite a record-breaking increase in solar panel installation, Switzerland is far away from its target of shifting away from non-renewables.
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.