Parliament backs new attempt to revise CO2 Act
Published: Wednesday, Dec 20th 2023, 19:31
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Parliament said yes in principle to the revised CO2 Act for the years 2025 to 2030. The National Council made its decisions as a second chamber with a possible referendum in mind and with the aim of bringing the new provisions into force in 2025.
The revised CO2 Act for the period 2025 to 2030 is intended to help achieve the Swiss net-zero target for 2050 and a secure energy supply. Switzerland has committed itself to this under the Paris Climate Agreement. Greenhouse gas emissions are to be halved by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
New attempt after failure
On Wednesday, the National Council voted in favor of the bill by 136 votes to 34, with 26 abstentions. The no votes came from the SVP parliamentary group and most of the abstentions came from the Greens. Following the failure of the revised CO2 Act 2021 at the ballot box, the bill is a new attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
All parliamentary groups wanted to debate the bill. "Action is urgently needed in view of global warming," demanded Gabriela Suter (SP/AG). The foundations of life must be secured for future generations. In the eyes of the Greens, too, Switzerland should do more than the revised CO2 Act provides for.
"Please don't increase the price of petrol," demanded Christian Imark (SVP/SO). The compensation obligation for fossil fuels, the new transfer obligation and VAT together could increase the price of petrol by eleven centimes per liter, he pointed out. This would be a breeding ground for a referendum.
The National Council approved Imark's minority motion to waive the obligation to transfer fuel, as proposed by the Federal Council and the Council of States. The Federal Council wants to use this instrument to ensure that more renewable fuels are imported. Environment Minister Albert Rösti also expressed reservations about the controversial innovation.
Higher reduction target in Germany
This could increase fuel prices by up to five centimes. Following the no to the 2021 CO2 Act, the Federal Council gave assurances that the new attempt would not result in any new levies, said Rösti. Synthetic fuels are also rather scarce and are mainly used in aviation.
However, the National Council was more ambitious than the Council of States when it came to reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions. It wants 75% of Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced domestically. The Council of States did not specify a concrete target in figures.
As requested by the Federal Council, it had decided to reduce emissions "primarily" in Switzerland. It had assumed a domestic potential of around two thirds. The FDP and SVP had wanted to follow the Council of States, but were defeated.
Like the Federal Council and the Council of States, the National Council wants to leave the CO2 levy at CHF 120 per tonne. A red-green minority would have wanted to allow an increase to 180 francs, taking into account the building program. Both Councils also want to earmark up to a third of the levy. The Federal Council, on the other hand, would have liked to earmark 49% of the levy by 2030.
The National Council set interim targets for emissions regulations for passenger cars in order to achieve a reduction from 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer in 2025 to 49.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer in 2030. The Council of States wants new cars to be allowed to emit 45% of the 2021 emissions from 2030 onwards.
Less ambition in the Council of States
In the National Council, a minority would have wanted to join the Council of States and the Federal Council on substance and thus avoid a "Swiss finish", as Matthias Samuel Jauslin (FDP/AG) said. Switzerland should take its lead from the EU.
The promotion of charging infrastructure for e-cars is controversial. The Council of States wants to do without it. The National Council, on the other hand, wants to subsidize basic installations for charging stations with up to 20 million francs per year. These must be located in multi-party buildings or in public parking lots.
Like the Council of States, the National Council decided against a levy on flights with private and business jets. A minority in the upper chamber prevailed; the majority of the responsible committee would have wanted the levy.
In September, the Council of States was less ambitious in its resolutions than the Federal Council and also than its own preliminary advisory committee. The ball is now back in its court.
©Keystone/SDA
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