2023-09-28 16:30:00
Switzerland must have a new climate policy for the years 2025 to 2030. The Council of States adopted the new CO2 law without opposition. The National will have to decide in turn.
The Federal Council has planned funding of 4.1 billion for the five years. This money comes from the CO2 tax already levied on fuels at 120 francs per tonne of CO2. Another central point: the Federal Council renounces new taxes.
End of diesel buses
Senators failed Monday to complete the first review of the law. They resumed the case on Thursday. They particularly looked at the service-related heavy goods vehicle traffic charge (RPLP).
The Council of States refused to exempt trucks with electric propulsion. The Federal Council already has the possibility of doing this. The PLR’s proposal to set a differentiated reduction in the RPLP for trucks with electric propulsion or using renewable fuels was also rejected.
Not only trucks but also public transport must make the transition to electric, thanks to incentive measures. The Chamber of Cantons has agreed to remove tax breaks for diesel public transport buses from 2026.
However, she refused, by 25 votes to 10, the government proposal to finance the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles in residential buildings, businesses and public car parks.
Reduction of emissions in Switzerland
On Monday, the Council of States accepted that Switzerland would achieve around two thirds of the reduction in emissions internally and the remaining third abroad. The Confederation will be able to acquire international certificates to achieve the objectives, which the left deplored.
In terms of mobility, concerning new passenger cars from 2030, the government plans that their CO2 emissions do not exceed 45% at most of the determining basic value of 2021. To the great dismay of the left and some centrists, the Chamber of Cantons supported this rate, wanting regulations similar to those of the EU.
The senators also agreed to renew the compensation obligation for fuel importers, which expires at the end of 2024, and to increase the maximum share of CO2 emissions to be compensated to 90%.
Importers must be able to pass on compensation costs to consumers in the form of a price surcharge, but not more than five cents per liter of petrol or diesel, as is currently the case.
Air Transport
Renewable fuels must also be used in air transport. A mixing rate must be established, and pilot projects in this area encouraged until 2029. In addition, CO2 emissions must appear on plane tickets.
The left failed to introduce an incentive tax on business plane and private jet flights. It is not up to society as a whole to pay for a minority that uses such jets, said Lisa Mazzone (Les Vert-es/GE). This only represents 1% of aviation emissions, argued Damian Müller (PLR/LU).
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