Switzerland, one the world’s most competitive economies and advanced free markets has the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the world. Switzerland’s contribution to greenhouse emissions is no more than 0.1%. Since 1990, Switzerland’s emissions have declined by 14%, whereas the population has increased by 27%. During the 1990s the leading sector of GHG production was the building sector but today it is the transportation sector. This is because Switzerland has taken active action on reducing emissions in the building sector by improving energy efficiency throughout houses and buildings.  

Greenhouse gas emissions in this period have decreased, new buildings are better insulated than in the past, cars have become more fuel efficient, heating oil is increasingly replaced by natural gas and electricity (e.g. for heat pumps) and

The trend away from petrol- to diesel-powered passenger cars also contributed to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Replacement of old oil-fired heating systems have reduced the emissions from houses and buildings by 34%. 

Switzerland’s 2050 energy strategy has a very ambitious outlook which includes the increase in renewable resources while phasing out nuclear power. The long-term goal of the Swiss Federal Council is to reduce GHG emissions to 1–2 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2050 from around 6 tonnes of CO2 per capita today.

In 2015 the United Nations introduced the sustainable development goals (SDGs) agenda with 17 goals for countries to fulfill. Switzerland is already at an advanced stage in achieving various SDGs and has already fulfilled a number of targets.  Switzerland is free from extreme poverty and there is no hunger .Education is free, compulsory and of good quality. Consumption of natural resources (SDG 12), for example, is increasing overall. Use of resources from within Switzerland for consumption by its population is decreasing. Switzerland is committed to helping to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Switzerland has not compromised growth completely for the environment but only giving it more importance and having a sustainable approach to all its agendas. To  develop sustainable development strategies with quantified targets there is an increase in the integration of environmental and sectoral policies, notably with regard to transport, energy, agriculture, tourism and land use. One such target is to promote green tax reform in such a way that the environment, natural resources and employment are protected another is to give more weight to environmental considerations in regional planning at the federal, cantonal and municipal levels and taking the necessary steps to integrate environmental considerations in urban development schemes and transport-related construction projects.

A country’s biodiversity is necessary for its cultural identity and economic activity. Switzerland with its beautiful valleys which support 45,000 species is what brings tourists from across the world. With the rise in climate temperatures and high levels of CO2 in the air, the tourism in the country is at jeopardy, which is another motivation to sustainable progress which include ecological conservation and economic growth. The Federal Council adopted an action plan for the Swiss Biodiversity Strategy and increased funding for nature conservation. In addition to encouraging land use that promotes biodiversity. This plan mainly constitutes a well developed network and ecological infrastructure.

SUMMARY:

Switzerland is one of the most competitive economies in the world due to its strong added value services, its specialized industries and a motivated and highly skilled workforce of 5.2 million people out of a 8.6 million and at the same time is one of the worlds most environment friendly countries with very ambitious goals to reach under the Paris agreement and the SDGs. Switzerland’s public sector is increasingly requiring environmentally friendly and resource-saving products in its procurement processes. CO2 in fossil fuels accounts for half of Switzerland’s GHGs and to curb this situation the revenues are redistributed to the public, with rewards for lower fossil fuel consumption. Switzerland is the true example of progress and proving  sustainability is an attainable goal.

¬VIHAN RAJU

– VIHAN RAJU