On Friday, the Swiss government approved its action plan for air travel by bureaucrats. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from air travel by federal government employees by 30% by 2030.
If travel times are shorter than six hours, federal employees will have to take the train instead of the plane. A list of “train only” destinations will be drawn up and perks for those flying will be reduced. For example, business class flights will be approved only if a direct flight is nine hours or more or a flight with a stopover is eleven hours or more. Furthermore, fewer people will fly to international conferences. The size of delegations should be consistently “as small as possible”. The measures will be implemented from mid-2020.
The action plan is part of the federal government’s climate package adopted by the governing Federal Council in July. It aims to make the federal administration climate-neutral by 2030. Greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 50% compared to 2006. The remainder will be offset by emission certificates.
More
More
Swiss railways see more demand for train trips abroad
This content was published on
According to a report in the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, demand for night train journeys especially increased on stretches between Switzerland and the German cities of Berlin and Hamburg, while overall demand for international trips rose most on routes to France. Federal Railways Spokesperson Sabine Baumgartner told the NZZ am Sonntag it was impossible to…
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
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 night trains: past, present and future
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is discussing re-investing in sleeper trains, reacting to a public increasingly sceptical of flying short distances.
Swiss take the train more often, and further, than European neighbours
This content was published on
The latest Europe-wide figures confirm Switzerland’s reputation as a country of trains, with average trips and kilometres covered far higher than elsewhere.
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.