TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Sep 07, 2009 (CEST)
Swiss Cabinet Proposes New CO2 Reductions
The Swiss government is considering the most dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions of any industrialized nation. The Cabinet, or executive branch of the Swiss government, agreed to a target cut of at least 20% over 1990 levels by 2020. The proposal moves on from the Cabinet the Parliament for approval in what may become a contentious issue.
Switzerland has been a worldwide leader in reducing carbon emissions, having passed a law in 2000 targeting a reduction of 10% over 1990 levels by 2010. This goal has not been met by the existing tax on carbon emissions not to exceed SFr210 ($174) per ton of CO2, adjusted as necessary. The new law would target a range of 20% to 30% reductions and keep the tax more fixed at a level.
Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger said the target was ambitious compared with other countries, and called on parliament not to jeopardize a compromise reached after long discussions in the cabinet over how to reach the targets.
"The draft law is the most important instrument to cut greenhouse gases and help limit a hike in temperatures to less than two centigrade," Leuenberger told a news conference.
Many environmental groups in Switzerland say that the proposed additional cuts are still not enough, claiming that they have enough signatures to force a nationwide referendum on the issue if the Parliament does not act. Citizens in Switzerland can enact laws through direct action this way, and the threat of a similar action helped to propel the original CO2 reduction law in 2000. They want a hard cap of 30% and a higher tax on carbon emissions to make it happen.
The Swiss Business Federation sees the proposed law as a moderate step that it is willing to back, claiming that a hard target is impractical. They prefer a predictable tax and pledge to take action to make it work to help Switzerland meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
Specifically, the proposal has a tax of nine centimes (Sfr0.09) per liter starting in 2010 on home heating oil, among other direct taxes on carbon based fuels. The proceeds will be put into helping Swiss citizens install more fuel efficient heating systems in their home, among other incentives for direct CO2 reduction. The old system allowed the tax to float as high as six centimes per liter, which has largely been considered unworkable.
Jason Grace
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