THEODORA PETER “Switzerland has set itself an ambitious target,” said Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP) after the vote. The energy and environment minister – who only joined the government in January – had campaigned for the parliament-approved Climate and Innovation Act against the will of his own party. Insisting that the switch from oil and gas endangers the security of Switzerland’s energy supplies, the SVP had initiated the 18 June referendum against what it called the “energy-guzzling act”. However, a majority of voters followed the yes recommendation of all the other parties, with 59.1 per cent endorsing the target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Among the Swiss Abroad approval of this target was as high as 76.8 per cent. Boost for renewable energy Under the Climate and Innovation Act, businesses, road users, and private households will be incentivised to help slash harmful greenhouse gas emissions over the next three decades. Massive investment in zero-carbon technology will be needed. To this end, parliament has approved financial support – totalling 3.2 billion Swiss francs Switzerland aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050 A clear majority of the Swiss electorate, almost 60 per cent, voted in favour of the Climate and Innovation Act on 18 June 2023. The new legislation cements the gradual shift away from fossil fuels like oil and gas. But a new debate is brewing over zero-carbon alternatives. – for homeowners to replace climate-damaging oil and gas heating with heat pumps. Electric vehicles will replace petrol and diesel on the roads, while industrial and commercial businesses will have to transition to climatefriendly production practices. According to Rösti, Switzerland can only reach the netzero target by producing more of its own electricity. “We cannot simply rely on imports,” he said. Rösti hopes parliament will approve the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply in September. This new bill aims to promote hydro, solar and wind. But political opinion is divided on the extent to which new dams, wind turbines, or solar plants should be allowed to affect wildlife and natural landscape. Depending on the outcome of the parliamentary debate, this matter could also end in a referendum. Calls for new nuclear power stations The centre-right and right-wing parties as well as industry groups are sceptical as to whether renewables can meet Switzerland’s electricity needs in future. There had already been calls as early as the day of the vote for new nuclear power plants to be built. According to the FDP and The Climate and Innovation Act lends additional impetus to new major solar and wind projects. Opinion is divided on the extent to which such projects should be allowed to affect wildlife and the natural landscape. In the photo: Europe’s highest wind park, overlooking Lake Gries (canton of Valais) near the Nufenen Pass. Photo: Keystone Swiss Review / August 2023 / No.4 10 Politics
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