Farmers complain about federal inaction in the climate sector
Published: Tuesday, Mar 5th 2024, 14:50
Back to Live Feed
Farmers, winegrowers, vegetable and fruit growers from several cantons are demanding that the authorities take all necessary measures to meet Switzerland's international and national obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They have submitted a corresponding complaint to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).
The agricultural representatives of the Climate Advocates Network come from the cantons of Zurich, Schwyz, Geneva, Neuchâtel and Vaud, as detailed in a press release issued on Tuesday. Following the melting of the glaciers, agriculture is one of the first visible victims of climate change, they write.
The climate advocates refer to a report by the Federal Ethics Commission for Biotechnology from 2022, which states that "more frequent and longer dry periods are to be expected in summer and fall, at times when temperatures and the water requirements of agriculture are high".
On the basis of a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the complainants point out that Switzerland is one of the most unsatisfactory countries in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Every Swiss person emits 14 tons of CO2 equivalents per year, compared to the global average of 6 tons.
Switzerland is therefore not fulfilling any of its international or national climate commitments - and is not on the way to fulfilling them either.
The complainants argue that the Uvek's inadequate climate policy jeopardizes their economic freedom and the guarantee of property rights in particular. By not taking serious measures to protect the population from climate change, the Uvek is damaging the profitability of the land belonging to the complainants, according to the press release. The farmers called on the Uvek to take all necessary measures to prevent such violations of their fundamental rights.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic