The amended constitutional clause demands that the cantonal and local authorities take steps to slow down climate change and work towards climate neutrality by 2050.
Sunday’s vote was in response to public climate protests launched in 2019 and pressure notably by the Green Party.
Bern is only the second of the country’s 26 cantons – after Geneva -to include climate goals in their cantonal constitution. Several other cantons are currently drafting amendments to their constitutions.
Similar moves are underway at a national level to include zero CO2 emissions as a goal into the Swiss constitution.
Three months ago, Swiss voters rejected a CO2 tax, including price hikes for petrol and other fuels. The reform was aimed at cutting by half the country’s CO2 emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Switzerland may triple tuition fees for foreign university students
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Foreign students at ETH Zurich and EPFL may soon have to pay at least three times as much as Swiss students in tuition fees.
Female climate activists could report Switzerland to Council of Europe
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The KlimaSeniorinnen association (the Climate Senior Women) is urging the Swiss government to respect the European court’s recent decision.
Horizon Europe is partially open again to researchers in Switzerland
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With renewed negotiations with the EU Commission, and thanks to CHF600 million in federal funds, Swiss researchers can again apply for some grants.
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Swiss political parties want to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organisation in Switzerland, which would prevent financing and propaganda activity.
Swiss public prosecutor calls for Tariq Ramadan to be jailed for rape
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A three-year prison sentence for Tariq Ramadan is being demanded for the rape of a woman in a hotel room in Geneva in October 2008.
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.
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Swiss CO2 law defeated at the ballot box
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Swiss voters have rejected legislation at the heart of the country’s strategy to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
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The government plans to present a new revision of the CO2 law before the end of the year - most likely without new taxes to fight climate change.
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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.