Switzerland Today
Dear Swiss Abroad,
Following a summer of heatwaves and prolonged drought – conditions that even Environment Minister Albert Rösti admitted had taken him by surprise – the Swiss government has unveiled a series of measures to address the consequences. But critics argue that the plans fall short, lacking concrete and binding commitments to tackle future climate challenges.
Sunny regards from Bern,
Following a summer of heatwaves and prolonged drought, the Federal Council has announced a series of measures to address the consequences of extreme weather.
The effects have been far-reaching, particularly for agriculture and vineyards. Some livestock farmers were even forced to send their animals to slaughter early because of a shortage of feed.
Following discussions with farmers’ representatives in September, the government agreed on the need for greater investment in irrigation systems and water storage basins. It had already approved a one-off CHF54 million ($65 million) increase in funding for interest-free loans to help farmers facing cash-flow shortages caused by the drought.
One of the main measures is the establishment of a centre of expertise within the Federal Office of Public Health to protect the population from heat- and climate-related health risks. Other measures include additional research into animal health and food safety, improved monitoring of heat-related deaths and hospital admissions, and the development of national heat maps and extreme weather scenarios by MeteoSwiss.
However, the measures have drawn criticism. The plan relies largely on information, financial incentives and cooperation between federal and cantonal authorities rather than binding climate protection measures, writes the Tages-Anzeiger.
Social Democratic Party parliamentarian Gabriela Suter welcomed the measures for early detection and adaptation but criticised the lack of concrete commitments. “The next heatwave won’t wait for the federal government’s findings,” she told the newspaper.
Almost one in two people in Switzerland would struggle to maintain their standard of living after just three months without an income, according to a study by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
Although 82% of respondents save at least occasionally, 15% lack sufficient liquid reserves to cover their expenses without an income, while another 30% could manage for only one to three months. By contrast, 23% have enough savings to maintain their standard of living for more than a year.
“Saving regularly does not necessarily mean that a household is sufficiently prepared for a loss of income,” explains ZHAW researcher Selina Lehner. What matters is how much money is readily available in an emergency.
Rising fixed costs, including rent and health insurance premiums, are the biggest financial concern, cited by 22% of respondents. These recurring expenses are putting particular pressure on households with limited savings.
The financial strain is already evident: almost one in four respondents (24%) had borrowed money in the past year, while 29% reported difficulties paying their taxes on time at least once in the past five years.
The study, based on a survey of 963 people conducted in June, also revealed a gap between overall life satisfaction, averaging 7.2 out of 10, and satisfaction with personal finances, at just 5.6.
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, launched a fundraising campaign today for the war-torn population of Sudan. Guy Parmelin, who holds Switzerland’s rotating presidency this year, opened the National Day of Solidarity as a guest on Swiss public radio, SRF.
“The suffering of these people deeply affects me, especially when I think about how many children are suffering – children who are not responsible for this war and who are being robbed of a carefree childhood,” Parmelin told SRF.
After more than three years of war, Sudan is facing one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises, according to Swiss Solidarity. More than a quarter of the population has been forced to flee the violence, while the El Niño weather phenomenon is causing widespread drought. Almost 20 million people are suffering from hunger and urgently need aid.
Aid organisations are increasingly struggling to secure the resources needed to provide assistance in the region. Through its fundraising campaign, Swiss Solidarity aims to support the humanitarian projects of its partner organisations in Sudan.
Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, Parmelin stressed the importance of continued support. “Hopelessness must not lead to indifference. Switzerland must manage its finances responsibly and cannot finance everything. But we mustn’t forget our humanitarian tradition. It is precisely in difficult times that we see what solidarity truly means.”
Donations can be made between 7am and 11pm by calling 0800 87 07 07, online via the Swiss Solidarity website or at any post office, quoting “Emergency in Sudan”.
After several years abroad, returning to Switzerland can prove more unsettling than one might imagine. The latest episode of our bilingual podcast ‘Adieu, merci la Suisse’ / ‘Ade merci, Schweiz’ explores, with an expert in international mobility and an expatriate who has returned to Switzerland, the cultural, emotional and administrative challenges of a transition that is often underestimated.
In 2025, some 23,000 Swiss nationals returned to settle in their home country. A stay abroad, even for just a few months, is often enough to transform a person, to the point of causing ‘reverse culture shock’ – that is, a feeling of being out of place in one’s own homeland. The euphoria of reunion is then followed by a more difficult phase, linked to mourning the country they have left behind and the environment that has changed in their absence.
Returning also raises questions of identity. Those who return often find themselves out of step with those around them, who struggle to recognise how they have changed. Professionally speaking, the experience gained abroad is not always valued by Swiss employers.
Added to these psychological challenges are logistical complexities. Health insurance, taxation, children: all these matters must be dealt with simultaneously, in a country where each canton operates differently. To find out how our guests experienced their return and what to look out for, listen to the latest episode.
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