Swiss car emissions targets missed despite sanctions
The average CO2 emissions of new cars in Switzerland fell more than 10% last year to 123.6 grams per kilometre - but still missed a target of 95g/km.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
This is despite CHF132.5 million ($143 million) in financial penalties being levied on passenger car importers in 2020. That was well over the CHF78.1 million imposed in 2019.
Importers of commercial vans and lorries were hit with another CHF15.7 million in sanctions as emissions from this category of vehicle dropped slightly to 176.4g/km – some way short of the 147g/km target set in 2020 by the government.
Some 238,000 new passenger cars were registered in Switzerland last year, around a quarter less than in 2019. The proportion of electric cars (battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids) increased significantly in 2020 to 14.4% (2019: 5.6%). The share of diesel vehicles fell slightly to 23.9%.
The coronavirus pandemic was responsible for much of the decrease in car registrations as people faced economic uncertainty and were restricted from travelling during lockdowns.
Switzerland wants to become carbon neutral by 2050. Transport plays a key role, as it is responsible for one-third of CO2 emissions – more than any other sector.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
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.
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.