Glaciologist Matthias Huss prepares to set a measuring pole in the ice as part of an event by the ‘Yes Committee to the Climate Protection Law’ in Val Morteratsch, Switzerland, on May 20. The ceremony, known as ‘Good-bye Morteratsch Glacier,’ took place at the base of the Morteratsch Glacier and aimed to encourage a ‘yes’ vote for the climate protection law, which was successfully passed with a majority of 59.1% on Monday. Photo by Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA-EFE
June 19 (UPI) — Swiss voters have embraced a new law to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 following a drastic reduction of ice volume in the Swiss Alps glaciers over the past two decades.
The Climate Law, which focuses on reducing reliance on imported oil and gas by transitioning to renewable energy sources, successfully passed in a national referendum on Sunday with 59.1% support.
Renowned Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss, who has extensively studied glacier retreat in the Alps, expressed his satisfaction, stating that “the arguments of climate science were heard” by the Swiss population.
“Today, the Swiss population has sent a powerful message by accepting the law to achieve net-zero emissions! This journey began with the glacier initiative several years ago, and now it has reached its culmination,” Huss wrote in a tweet.
In a separate referendum, Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved the introduction of a global minimum tax rate of 15% for multinational corporations, with over 78% support.
Approximately 42% of Swiss citizens participated in the election, and the majority of the country’s major political parties, except for the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, endorsed the new Climate Law.
“The adoption of the climate law represents a significant milestone in Swiss climate politics after a period of uncertainty lasting for two years,” commented Lukas Golder, co-director of polling organization gfs.bern.
However, Golder added, “Even with a ‘yes’ vote, pro-climate activists face a challenging road ahead in Switzerland.”
As one of the world’s wealthiest nations, Switzerland currently relies on imports for approximately three-quarters of its oil and natural gas consumption.
Detractors argue that the new law will lead to higher energy costs and fails to provide clear guidance on the sourcing of renewable electricity.
“By 2050, the country’s electricity consumption is expected to rise from around 62 terawatt-hours to 90,” cautioned Christoph Brand, CEO of Switzerland’s largest electricity producer, Axpo. “The potential for additional hydro power in Switzerland is virtually nonexistent… and our solar and wind capacities are strikingly low.”
To meet the energy targets, approximately 80 square kilometers of solar panels will need to be installed by 2050.
However, Swiss energy utilities are skeptical, citing the country’s planning laws as a barrier to progress. Unlike most countries, Switzerland allows individuals or groups to block or delay projects, rather than granting the central government the power to override local concerns.
“There is a tendency in Switzerland to proceed cautiously, assuming that the successes of the past 30 years will continue for the next 30,” Brand added. “But in this case, that approach will not suffice.”
