Switzerland referendum: Voters back carbon cuts as glaciers melt
In Switzerland, voters have shown their support for a new climate bill aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
With the Swiss Alps experiencing rapid glacier melt, the government has emphasised the need to safeguard energy security and the environment.
The legislation mandates a shift away from reliance on imported oil and gas toward the adoption of renewable energy sources.
The referendum, held on Sunday, saw 59.1% of voters back the green energy proposals. Most of the country’s major political parties have also backed the bill, with the exception of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
Switzerland currently imports around three-quarters of its energy, relying entirely on foreign sources for oil and natural gas.
The climate bill commits to providing financial support of 2 billion Swiss francs over a decade (£1.7 billion) to encourage the replacement of gas and oil heating systems with environmentally friendly alternatives. Additionally, 1.2 billion Swiss francs will be allocated to drive green innovation in businesses.
The new bill comes amid rapid losses to the Alpine glaciers due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. Between 2021 and 2022, these glaciers have already lost one-third of their ice volume.
