Thu, Dec 22nd 2022
Parliamentary members say adding a “third gender” would require many laws to be changed.
The Swiss parliament on Wednesday vetoed the idea of introducing a non-binary ‘third gender’ or ‘no gender’ option for residents to identify on official records. The “binary gender model is still strongly anchored in Swiss society,” officials said in their decision. To add the gender options would require “numerous” changes to be made to the Swiss Constitution, as well as to several national and cantonal laws. Right now, citizens must register as either male or female. In neighboring Germany citizens can register as “diverse.” In Belgium, a new law will strike the mention of genders from all documents. Read more.
Credit Suisse says its fourth quarter will be better than its disastrous third.
After months of plummeting stock and a dwindling customer base, Credit Suisse is stabilizing and seeing clients return, CEO Andre Helfenstein told local newspaper NZZ. He said “In Switzerland, the situation has stabilized. We are in discussions with customers, and some have already returned their money.” When asked if Credit Suisse had to offer clients special conditions, Helfenstein said yes “in the middle and upper customer segments and only in a targeted manner.” The second largest bank in Switzerland posted a net loss of CHF 4.03 billion for its third quarter of 2022 – 3.7 billion of which is deferred tax assets earmarked for a total revamp. The bank expects to make up a pre-tax loss of up to 1.5 billion Swiss francs during its fourth quarter. When asked if Credit Suisse had to offer clients special conditions, Helfenstein said yes “in the middle and upper customer segments and only in a targeted manner.” Read more.
The lawsuit alleges that a Zug company’s CO2 emissions have contributed to rising sea levels.
In a historical first, a climate litigation case has been filed against a Swiss company – a case that could either pave the way for similar cases in the future or stop them from being filed. Four residents of Pari Island in Indonesia have launched civil proceedings against Holcim, the world’s largest cement producer. They claim that the Zug company is responsible for CO2 emissions that have contributed to rising sea levels, citing a calculation by the Climate Accountability Institute naming Holcim as one of the world’s top CO2 contributors. According to the same calculation, Swiss commodity trader Glencore is also a major emitter. Swiss Church Aid HEKS/EPER, which provides legal representation to refugees, is supporting the Pari Island residents. They allege that Holcim must pay pro rata for its CO2 emissions, which would amount to about 3,500 Swiss francs per island resident. If the residents win the case, they say they will use the funds to finance adaptation measures such as building dams and planting mangrove tree to protect homes from future floods. Read more.
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