National Council committee opposes environmental responsibility initiative
Published: Tuesday, May 14th 2024, 16:41
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The Young Greens' environmental responsibility initiative would interfere too much with economic freedom. This is the view of the responsible committee of the National Council. The majority is therefore asking the upper chamber to vote against the initiative.
The National Council's Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (Urek-N) made the decision by 15 votes to 8, as reported by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. The Federal Council also opposes the initiative. The National Council is expected to decide on its position in the summer session.
The initiative "for a responsible economy within planetary boundaries (environmental responsibility initiative)" calls for a constitutional article that puts environmental protection first. Switzerland's environmental impact is to be reduced within ten years to a level that respects the planetary boundaries.
The majority of the Commission believes that the initiative would interfere too much with economic freedom and fears that prosperity would suffer as a result of the requirements. In the eyes of the majority, Switzerland would choose to go it alone and thus risk competitive disadvantages.
A minority of the Urek-N wants to accept the initiative. A second minority would like to see a direct counter-proposal, i.e. also a constitutional article. It wants to adopt the initiative text but waive the implementation period of ten years.
The two minorities believe that an intact environment is the basis for being able to do business at all, as stated in the press release. Resources are limited. With the planetary boundaries, the initiative uses an internationally recognized scientific instrument.
©Keystone/SDA
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