Valais votes on climate law
Published: Monday, Nov 4th 2024, 10:50
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The people of Valais will vote on the cantonal climate law on November 24. In particular, it stipulates that the canton must achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2040. This means that Valais is setting a faster pace than most cantons and the federal government, which is aiming for CO2 neutrality by 2050.
In the French-speaking part of the canton, the bill has the support of all parties, with the exception of the SVP. In the German-speaking part of the canton, however, opposition is more pronounced.
The Grand Council adopted the new climate law in December 2023 by 93 votes to 30. The left and the majority of the conservative camp approved the law, while the SVP and the Upper Valais Center rejected it. Together with the Upper Valais Homeowners' Association, these parties subsequently launched a referendum.
"Balanced law"
The FDP, the French-speaking center, the Greens and the SP consider the law to be "balanced". They argue that it provides the population and the canton's stakeholders with additional resources to adapt to the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of future generations.
Proponents of the law also point out that Valais is particularly hard hit by climate change. Heatwaves, faster melting of glaciers, fewer snow days, forest fires, landslides and flooding have all caused problems for the mountainous canton. The costs of the consequences of last summer's storms alone are expected to cost the state coffers around CHF 125 million.
"The goal of CO2 neutrality is a course to be pursued. It does not lead to a commitment to results, but to means provided in the form of support," say the supporters of the law. They also point out that the implementation of the law "does not provide for any additional taxes or obligations".
Law "unrealistic" according to SVP
The SVP, on the other hand, considers the timetable for CO2 neutrality to be "unrealistic". It also believes that the cantonal law will not prevent glaciers from melting, nor will it prevent flooding or mudslides.
"It is merely a collective punishment, a utopian, dishonest and expensive project that makes life more expensive for everyone and patronizes the population, the economy and the municipalities of Valais," argued the SVP at the launch of the referendum. The Upper Valais Center, for its part, spoke of an "unclear and difficult to implement legal text".
Fund of 100 million
The legislative text is intended to implement a whole series of measures via the cantonal climate plan. They will be financed via the ordinary state budget and a climate reserve with an initial allocation of CHF 100 million from the state's assets.
The SVP had criticized this sum during the debates in the Grand Council. The party proposed reducing the amount to CHF 50 million, while the left argued for an increase to CHF 150 million.
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