Switzerland approves law to implement the Kyoto Protocol
Bern, 08.10.1999 - In 1997 Switzerland signed the Kyoto Protocol and thereby committed itself to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Parliament has now created the legal basis to implement this commitment. Today it approved a law on the reduction of CO2 emission. The law requires the emission of CO2 to be reduced by 10% compared to the 1990 level by 2010. It enables the Federal Council to introduce a CO2 tax if this goal cannot be achieved with the measures already planned or by voluntary efforts.
With the ratification of the Climate Convention in 1993, Switzerland and over 150 other countries indicated their support for an internationally agreed strategy to prevent the threat of global warming. In 1997 this commitment was supplemented by the Kyoto Protocol. In signing the Protocol, Switzerland committed itself to an 8% reduction in the emission of gases detrimental to the climate based on the 1990 levels. CO2 is by far the most significant greenhouse gas. It accounts for 83% of deleterious gas emissions in Switzerland. The CO2 law establishes a reduction target of 10% for this gas. The law provides the legal basis to implement the commitment made in the Kyoto Protocol. With this law – unique worldwide – Switzerland underlines its will together with other countries to make the necessary contribution towards solving the climate problem.
CO2 targets: the CO2 law requires a 10% reduction in CO2 emission below 1990 levels by the year 2010. Separate targets have been set for fuels: a reduction of 15% for heating oils and 8% for motor fuels.
Consideration of existing Swiss CO2 measures: in reaching these goals, the measures already agreed by Switzerland to reduce CO2 emission will be taken into consideration. These include a distance- and weight-dependent charge on heavy goods vehicles, the Energy Law, “Energy 2000” and its successor program, as well any energy taxes the electorate may approve in 2000.Voluntary measures: these will also be taken into consideration and are accorded high priority in the CO2 law. The business community and members of the public are encouraged to contribute voluntarily to achieving the targets.
Subsidiary CO2 tax: the rate of CO2 emission is assessed regularly. A CO2 tax will be introduced by the Federal Council only if the targets cannot be reached with the measures already planned or by voluntary efforts. It can be introduced in 2004 at the earliest. The maximum rate of tax will be stipulated in the law. It is set at 210 Swiss francs per tonne of CO2, which corresponds to just under 0.5 Swiss francs per liter of gasoline. The tax can be set at different levels for heating oils and motor fuels. These must be approved by Parliament.Use of revenue: the revenue from the CO2 tax will be returned in its entirety to the public and to business.
Tax exemption on formal commitment: companies will be exempt from the tax if they formally undertake to restrict CO2 emission. This exemption is intended to avoid any negative effects on the competitiveness of Swiss companies in the international arena.
Publisher
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
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