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Is it a climate protection law or, as the SVP puts it, an “electricity guzzler initiative”? Pros and cons disagree. For some, the law is one of the most important, for others it is not only unnecessary, but even harmful.
The law will go before the people on June 18. Who benefits? Who can afford it? And how should the law be implemented? Blick clarifies the most important questions.
What is the vote about?
Switzerland must be climate neutral by 2050. A large number of measures are required to achieve this goal. An important tool is the Glacier Initiative’s indirect counter-proposal, the Climate Protection Act. It aims to support private homeowners who replace their old gas, oil or electric heating systems with a climate-friendly alternative with a total of two billion Swiss francs.
In addition, companies using innovative technologies for climate-friendly production should be financed with CHF 1.2 billion.
Why are we voting on this?
In 2019, the citizens’ initiative “For a healthy climate”, or Glacier Initiative for short, was submitted. The initiative was launched by environmental groups along with the political left. She advocated the total phase-out of fossil fuels by 2050.
Oil, petrol, diesel and natural gas would be completely banned from then on. This went too far for both the Bundesrat and parliament. Parliament therefore drafted the Climate Protection Act as an indirect counter-proposal to the Glacier Initiative.
Because the initiators saw their main concerns represented in the counter-proposal, they conditionally withdrew the initiative. However, the SVP has issued a referendum against the counter-proposal, which is why we are now voting on it.
What exactly does the Climate Act ask for?
- Homeowners who replace their old oil or gas heating installations with modern wood heating installations or heat pumps, or improve the insulation of their buildings, receive support from the federal government. CHF 200 million is made available annually for this – limited to ten years.
- The same goes for people who replace their inefficient electric heating with a more sustainable alternative.
- Companies that use innovative climate-friendly technologies are also supported annually with a total of 200 million francs. This measure is limited to six years.
- The federal government and cantons are obliged by the Climate Act to take measures to protect nature and the population against the consequences of climate change.
Why is it an “Electricity Guzzler Act” for the SVP?
The SVP states that a yes to the climate protection law actually leads to the end of the internal combustion engine. This is because otherwise the ambitious CO₂ targets cannot be achieved.
The no camp concludes that all traffic should be electrified, which would lead to a huge increase in e-vehicles – and therefore in electricity consumption throughout Switzerland. The concern is that electricity, which is already scarce in winter, will become even scarcer as a result.
Why is such a law necessary?
Climate change is ubiquitous. And Switzerland is lagging behind on climate targets. If you really want to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, you need effective measures, including the Climate Protection Act.
The law also aims to make Switzerland more independent in the field of energy. So far we import 100 percent of our fossil fuels. Fuel oil, petrol, diesel and natural gas come entirely from abroad. This dependence must be broken. The war in Ukraine has shown that such dependence can be costly.
Who is for and who is against?
In addition to the Federal Council and Parliament, which drafted the law, it is supported by all parties except the SVP. SP, Greens, GLP and Mitte have already decided to say yes. The FDP will take the decision at the beginning of May, but a yes can also be expected here. In the National Council, the Liberals almost without exception approved the bill. In addition, 200 scientists from various disciplines have spoken in favor of the law. The largest Swiss business association Economiesuisse has also said yes.
The SVP unanimously rejects the law. The same applies to the Owners’ Association (HEV) and individual smaller business associations such as the KMU and Gewerbeverband Zürich (KGV).
How much does the Climate Protection Act cost the taxpayer?
The new law would cost a total of CHF 3.2 billion over a ten-year period. Private conversion measures would be supported with 2 billion. Another CHF 1.2 billion would benefit innovative companies.
The money for this must come from the federal treasury. The law does not include additional charges or prohibitions.
Does the law have a negative impact on the economy?
Sooner or later, Switzerland will find it almost impossible to avoid phasing out fossil fuels – even if it is because oil and gas will eventually run out. At most, energy companies that produce and trade fossil fuels and companies that build and sell power stations will have direct economic damage. However, there will probably be fewer and fewer companies that have not yet come to rely on alternatives to fossil fuels themselves.
Switzerland gets 100 percent of its fossil energy from abroad. Companies specializing in sustainable and future-oriented energy will probably benefit from the new law, as will companies that can count on contracts for the conversion to sustainable heat.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
