National referendum launched against renewable energy law

Tue, Oct 10th 2023

A newly-founded small coalition has launched a referendum against the so-called Energy-Mantle Decree (Energie-Mantelerlass) which was passed by the Parliament.

The coalition, led by Pierre-Alain Bruchez, is fighting for nature and landscape conservation in Switzerland, and is campaigning against the new priority given to power production from renewable energy sources.

Hans Weiss, former head of the Foundation for Landscape Protection, argued that the Decree contradicts the spirit of the Constitution, and that courts should give more weight to the public interest in protecting the landscape than to the construction of large electricity production facilities.

The coalition has until 18 January to collect the necessary 50,000 signatures, and Bruchez is in contact with various organisations to gain support. If the referendum fails, the coalition plans to launch an initiative next year which would require the potential of buildings and infrastructure to be fully exploited for solar energy production before photovoltaic’s are installed in the countryside landscape.

©Keystone/SDA

Stay in Touch

Noteworthy

Lidl Switzerland New Head of Real Estate: Tobias Eggli

Noteworthy

14 May 2024

Lidl Switzerland New Head of Real Estate: Tobias Eggli

Noteworthy

25 April 2024

National referendum launched against renewable energy law

National referendum launched against renewable energy law

Related Stories

Stay in Touch

Noteworthy

Lidl Switzerland New Head of Real Estate: Tobias Eggli

Nestle Sales Decline: Q1 2024

Quick Links