Only 10.8% of Swiss territory is protected, while the average protected area in the European Union is 26.4%, NGO Birdlife Switzerland said in a statementExternal link on Friday. Together with other nature conservation organisations, it is calling on parliament to end to its inaction on the issue.
Birldlife points in particular to proposed legislative changes that are stalled in parliament. The proposed amendments provide, for example, for the networking of protected areas by means of green corridors.
Switzerland is a long way from the international target of 30% protected areas by 2030, Birdlife points out. It says the Alpine country has made no progress in terms of protected areas for more than a decade.
According to the latest Environmental Review of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Switzerland is among the industrialised countries with the longest red lists of threatened species. More than a third of the species and half of their habitats are threatened or even highly endangered.
In 1998, Switzerland set itself the target of reducing the number of species on its red lists by 1% per year. “No measures were ever taken to achieve this, and the target was quietly abandoned in 2020,” according to Birdlife director Raffael Ayé.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
This content was published on
The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.
Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
This content was published on
Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.
Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.
This content was published on
The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.
This content was published on
According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.
This content was published on
A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.
Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider
This content was published on
Vreni Schneider is to have a museum in the centre of her home village of Elm. The legendary Swiss ski racer has numerous memorabilia at home, which she is now releasing and exhibiting.
This content was published on
A shooting range in Wittenbach, northeastern Switzerland, was broken into on Sunday night. The unknown perpetrators stole several antique weapons.
Euro 2025: most of crowd at Germany-France match were women
This content was published on
For the first time, the majority of the crowd at a football match in Basel's St. Jakob-Park – Saturday's European Championship quarterfinal – was female.
Pilots’ union seeks to end deal with SWISS over working conditions
This content was published on
The Aeropers pilots’ union is expected to end its collective labour agreement with SWISS, as it pushes for better working conditions for its members.
Marsh warbler named Switzerland’s bird of the year 2023
This content was published on
The little perching bird was chosen by BirdLife Switzerland as this year’s champion for its virtuosic singing and peerless imitations.
This content was published on
While the number of birds is declining worldwide, the situation for endangered species in Switzerland is even more striking, a report finds.
Key Swiss sanctuary reveals challenges, opportunities in biodiversity protection
This content was published on
How can animal and plant species be best protected? We visit the Bolle di Magadino, a nature preserve of international importance.
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.