National Council against more money for forest adaptation to climate change
Published: Tuesday, Sep 10th 2024, 12:10
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The National Council does not want to approve more money for the adaptation of Swiss forests to climate change than the Federal Council wants to make available. A federal contribution of CHF 451 million in the years 2025 to 2028 seems to be enough.
In May, the Council of States voted in favor of increasing the credit submitted by the Federal Council by CHF 100 million to CHF 551 million.
A majority of the small chamber argued in May 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 Federal Assembly. This support should be continued.
A narrow majority prevailed in the National Council on Tuesday, arguing that the tense situation of the federal finances did not permit such a step. The Council rejected a total of four proposals to increase loans. Only in the two votes on funds for the forest was the result twice close.
The decisions were made while discussing a federal decree on commitment credits in the environmental sector. This concerns funds with which the federal government supports the cantons in the areas of flood protection, wastewater treatment, forests, nature and landscape, protection against natural hazards, revitalization of watercourses, noise protection, wildlife and hunting as well as residual water remediation.
The National Council wants to approve a total of CHF 2.207 billion over the next four years - as requested by the Federal Council. Including the additional CHF 100 million for the forest, the Council of States wants to make CHF 2.307 billion available.
As differences remain with the Council of States following the National Council's debate on the commitment credits for the program agreements in the environmental sector, the bill will return to the small chamber.
©Keystone/SDA
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