Federal Council opens consultation on climate protection ordinance
The Federal Council has opened the consultation on the Climate Protection Ordinance. Important elements are the impulse program for climate-friendly buildings, the promotion of innovative, climate-friendly technologies and processes as well as protection against the consequences of climate change.
The Climate Protection Ordinance (KlV) implements the Climate and Innovation Act, which was approved by the electorate in June 2023. Important elements include the stimulus program for climate-friendly buildings, the promotion of innovative, climate-friendly technologies and processes and protection against the consequences of climate change. The consultation period lasts until May 1, 2024.
On June 18, 2023, the electorate approved the Climate and Innovation Act (KlG). The Climate Protection Act enshrines Switzerland's climate targets for 2050 in law. The Climate Protection Ordinance (KlV) fleshes out the KlG. In particular, the Federal Council would like to quickly specify the funding provisions for supporting climate-friendly buildings and innovative, climate-friendly technologies and processes. These regulations are to enter into force together with the KlG on January 1, 2025.
Impulse program for climate-friendly buildings
The KlG includes a time-limited funding program for the climate-friendly renovation of buildings. For ten years, a maximum of CHF 200 million will be available annually for the replacement of oil, gas and electric heating systems with climate-friendly, renewable systems. The KlV sets out the conditions for the funding. This focuses on areas in which the current cantonal funding is not sufficiently effective. In line with the KlG, the focus is on apartment buildings. Another priority is the replacement of inefficient electric heating systems with modern heating systems. This will contribute to the security of electricity supply.
Promotion of climate-friendly technologies and processes
The KlG stipulates that all companies must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To this end, they can voluntarily draw up roadmaps showing how they intend to achieve this target. The KlV sets out the minimum requirements that the roadmaps of companies and sectors must meet. In return, companies with such a roadmap can apply for financial support if they use innovative, climate-friendly technologies and processes. The KlG provides CHF 200 million per year for this purpose. The KlV defines the conditions under which financial aid can be applied for.
Protection from the consequences of climate change
The Climate Change Act obliges the Confederation and cantons to take proactive measures to protect against the consequences of climate change. The Climate Change Ordinance provides for an "Adaptation to Climate Change" platform. This body is intended to strengthen networking between the Confederation, cantons and communes as well as the scientific community, business and civil society organizations (such as associations or interest groups) in adapting to climate change. The platform should regularly analyze the risks of climate change for Switzerland and make recommendations on how the Federal Council's existing strategy for adapting to climate change can be further developed.
The Federal Council opened the consultation on the Climate Protection Ordinance on January 24, 2024. This will last until May 1, 2024.
Furthermore, under the KlG, the Federal Administration should no longer emit any net greenhouse gases by 2040 in line with its role model function. The implementation provisions require further clarification. The Federal Council will therefore submit them for consultation in a separate package as soon as possible.
In the financial sector, the Federal Council has also instructed the FDF to set out minimum requirements for transition plans for financial institutions by the end of 2024 in the "Ordinance on Reporting on Climate Matters", which will ensure the implementation of climate targets in accordance with the Climate Act.
Source: FOEN
