Mar, Nov 15th 2022
How Switzerland is dealing with a growing wolf population, why the nation dropped in climate-friendly rankings, and more in our roundup of news from November 11 – 15.
The Swiss construction workers’ union contract with employers is set to expire at the end of the year.
Swiss construction workers threaten to walk out over pay
Constructions workers throughout Switzerland have been protesting over working conditions and pay. The movement began in October in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and has since spread to the canton of Zürich over the weekend. The workers are calling for better pay in light of inflation. The employers have responded with an offer to pay better for more work hours – a maximum of 12 hours a day and 58 per week. Construction unions have responded that workers do not want to work longer days for more pay. Negotiations are currently in their seventh round, with workers threatening to strike if their demands are not met. A deal must be struck by the end of 2022 or the current union deal will expire. Seguir leyendo.
There are at least 200 wolves in Switzerland, but closer to 800 in the Alps, according to Kora Foundation.
Swiss farmers v. wolves: Who will win?
Swiss wolves are expected to kill at least 1,000 cows, sheep, goats and other livestock this year, according to the Swiss wildlife group Kora Foundation. The wolf population has increased greatly in the last few years. There are about 200 wolves belonging to 20 wolf packs in Switzerland. In 2020, Swiss residents reported a record number of 922 attacks on livestock; in 2012, there were only 112. Under current Swiss hunting laws, a wolf is allowed to be shot as soon as it has killed at least ten sheep or goats over a period of four months. The government has submitted a plan that would allow locals to shoot any wolves attacking livestock, but the plans must be approved by the Federal Office for the Environment first. Two years ago voters rejected a change in wolf hunting laws. Seguir leyendo.
Switzerland has been paying poorer nations in Africa to cut emissions, according to a recent report.
Switzerland drops in climate rankings
Switzerland this week dropped out of the top 20 countries leading the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the annual Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI). Switzerland is no longer considered a “high performer” with a ranking of 22nd, according to the report. The news comes just days after The New York Times published an article investigating how Switzerland pays other, less-wealthy nations in Africa to cut emissions instead of doing the work itself – a practice called “greenwashing” that many other nations practice. The Alpine nation now ranks behind Egypt, Lithuania, and below the EU average. Denmark was ranked first. Seguir leyendo.
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