The environment in Switzerland: mixed results
Bern/Neuchâtel, 01.06.2007 - The Swiss policy on environment and resources has produced positive results in several areas such as water quality, waste treatment and certain atmospheric pollutants. These are the findings of the report entitled «Environment Switzerland 2007» published by the federal government on 1 June 2007. However, the general state of the environment in Switzerland has not improved significantly. Our style of life and patterns of consumption have cancelled out the progress made in environmental protection. The main challenges for the future remain the use of resources and climate change.
This new report on the state of the environment in Switzerland has been produced jointly by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The report is based on the latest available knowledge and data, and provides a systematic overview of the state of the environment and the ways in which it is changing. It deals not only with purely environmental questions, but also with related issues in areas such as transport, energy and agriculture. In addition, for the first time, the report looks at the results of the implementation of environmental policy. The federal offices that produced the report come to the conclusion that the general state of the environment has not improved significantly since the last report was published in 2002. The «Environment Switzerland 2007» report is being presented in the run-up to International Environment Day on 5 June 2007.
What has been achieved?
- In general the environmental policy has produced good results with regard to the combat against pollution (of air, water and soil), in the protection of the ozone layer, and in the management and treatment of waste. The clean-up of contaminated sites has already begun in the most urgent cases, and the survey of contaminated sites is progressing well. Swiss society is aware of the risk of natural hazards and of major accidents.
- Thanks to technological progress and continued developments in Swiss industry, emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of economic activity have remained stable since 1990, despite an increase in gross domestic product (GDP). In 2004, 21% of all CO2 emissions were attributable to industry.
- Because of the use of more efficient vehicles, CO2 emissions from traffic have been stable since 2000, representing 34% of all CO2 emissions.
What environmental problems still have to be resolved?
- Emissions of greenhouse gases - the main cause of climate change - are too high. Between 1970 and 2005 the average temperatures in Switzerland increased by 1.5°C.
- In the same way, emissions of ozone precursors and of particulate matter, which lead to winter and summer smog, are too high. The Swiss population is chronically exposed to the adverse effects of these pollutants.
- We still have little knowledge of the origins and effects of many chemicals, and the amount of waste we produce continues to increase.
- The loss of biodiversity continues, with 30 to 50% of indigenous species currently under threat. Fragmentation of the landscape and of habitats is still increasing.
Human activity puts too much pressure on the environment
The main reasons for the mixed overall results are that Switzerland is becoming more and more urbanised, mobility is increasing, and there is a continued shift towards the service sector. This trend and the resulting imbalance between regions increases pressure on the environment. Our way of life and patterns of consumption are cancelling out the progress we have made in environmental protection and eco-efficiency.
The challenges
In the report «Environment Switzerland 2007» the Federal Office for the Environment and the Federal Statistical Office come to the following conclusions:
Climate change: As an alpine country, Switzerland is particularly threatened by climate change. The recession of glaciers, the melting of permafrost and changes in vegetation and precipitation mean that Switzerland has to face considerable challenges. Measures have to be taken to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and strategies developed for us to adapt to climate change.
Biodiversity: Efforts to conserve biodiversity must be increased. Increasing urbanisation and the spreading of transport infrastructures are among the factors that put biodiversity under pressure. Initially it is important to ensure that there is environmental observation, so tendencies for flora and fauna to change can be detected at an early stage, and appropriate measures taken (e.g. the creation of large-scale networks of biotopes).
Health: Atmospheric pollution, noise, chemicals, extreme meteorological conditions and radiation all represent risks to human health. Although it is difficult to prove the negative effects of pollution on health, there is now little doubt that these effects do indeed occur. Most of the recognised effects are concerned with the impact of atmospheric pollution on human health, so air quality must be further improved by reductions in ozone and particulate matter.
Innovation: New technologies also represent an important challenge. They have the potential to be applied in numerous areas and can have positive effects on the environment. However, the possibility of adverse effects cannot be excluded, and some effects on human beings and the environment remain largely unknown. In view of this uncertainty, it is necessary to have a public debate on potential risks and how to estimate them.
Policy on the environment and resources covering several areas
Efforts to reduce pressure on the environment have produced very varied results. Therefore, in the coming years we have to improve the integration of environmental issues in other areas of policy, such as transport and agriculture. The biggest challenge for the coming years will be the sustainable use of our limited natural resources. To meet this challenge, we will need to have a coherent policy on this issue.
Address for enquiries
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Media Office
Swiss Federal Statistical Office FSO, Media Office
Bruno Oberle, Director FOEN, Tel. +41 (0)79 687 11 65
Anne-Marie Mayerat Demarne, FSO, Environment, Sustainability and Agriculture Section, Tel. +41 (0)32 713 67 40
Nicolas Perritaz, FOEN, Environmental Observation Section, Tel. +41 (0)31 325 81 40
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
Federal Statistical Office
http://www.statistics.admin.ch
