Rösti concedes the 2030 climate target may be missed

Switzerland is unlikely to reach its climate target for 2030. That is what federal councillor Albert Rösti says in an interview published by Le Temps.

The commitment made is to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, with carbon neutrality set for 2050. A substantial part of the reduction, however, depends on buying emission credits abroad.

That is precisely where the head of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications sees the obstacle. In the current budget setting, shaped by the cuts decided by the Federal Council, he says he does not see how the Confederation could find the additional 300 to 400 million francs required.

What happens after 2030

Rösti links the missed target to a tougher effort in the following decade. If the 2030 goal is not reached, he argues, measures will have to be strengthened in the years after.

One of the routes he points to is extending the emissions trading system to buildings and transport, which would generate more revenue.

The Swiss People's Party minister is preparing the new CO2 law for the 2030 to 2040 period, which will go out to consultation shortly. Within the same framework the Federal Office for the Environment's adaptation fund, currently holding 30 million francs, is expected to grow.

Despite a summer marked by extreme weather, Rösti plans no immediate change of policy beyond the measures already approved. He maintains that Switzerland is already doing a great deal and that the further step should come after 2030.

He also announced a national strategy for water supply. The document is to address coordination between the cantons and set priorities during periods of shortage.

In further interviews with the newspapers of the Tamedia group, he rejected criticism that the government had done too little in the face of heat and drought. In his view the necessary measures already exist. As evidence of preparedness he cited army helicopters, which this year carried less water up to Alpine pastures than in previous droughts.

Asked whether he had underestimated the effects of climate change, he replied that he had not expected heatwaves as intense as this summer's, adding that he had never questioned the existence of global warming.