Council of States wants CHF 521 million for Swiss forests
Published: Tuesday, Sep 17th 2024, 09:00
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The Council of States wants to provide a total of CHF 521 million between 2025 and 2028 for the adaptation of Swiss forests to climate change. The small chamber voted on Tuesday by 29 votes to 15 with one abstention in favor of increasing the funds for forests by CHF 70 million.
The Council of States is thus following a compromise proposal from its Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (UREK-S). Last May, the Council of States had argued in favor of increasing the credit of CHF 451 million submitted by the Federal Council by CHF 100 million.
A majority of the small chamber had argued at the time that the federal government had already supported the cantons between 2020 and 2024 with more money to adapt forests to climate change, according to a motion adopted by the councillors. This support should be continued.
The National Council recently did not want to approve more money for adapting forests to climate change. A federal contribution of CHF 451 million between 2025 and 2028 - as proposed by the Federal Council - seemed to be enough. A narrow majority prevailed in the large chamber, arguing that the tense situation of the federal finances did not allow for more. The Council rejected a total of four proposals to increase loans.
Environment Minister Albert Rösti argued in vain for the National Council's version in the Council of States on Tuesday. If the debt brake was to be adhered to, these funds could not be allocated, said the Federal Councillor.
The decision in the Council of States was made during the discussion of a federal decree on commitment credits in the environmental sector amounting to over CHF 2.2 billion. This involves funds with which the federal government will support the cantons in areas such as flood protection, wastewater treatment, forests, nature and landscape, protection against natural hazards and residual water remediation. The largest tranches of the funds will go to forests, flood protection and wastewater treatment plants.
As there is still a difference to the National Council after the debate on the commitment credits for the program agreements in the environmental sector, the bill will return to the upper chamber.
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