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Switzerland’s 2035 climate target, announced on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, fails to meet the urgency of the climate crisis, climate activists gave said.
They disclosed that the government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% compared to 1990 levels by 2035, which would fall short of its fair share.
“Yet, the unquantified reliance on international carbon trading mechanisms raises serious concerns about the credibility of this commitment as these credits do not only distract from domestic reductions but often consist of inefficient credits which do not constitute any real emission reduction,” according to 350.org.
Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigning, 350.org, said: “This target is neither credible nor fair. Switzerland’s reliance on carbon trading loopholes instead of deep domestic cuts betrays real climate leadership. A 65% reduction by 2035 – already inadequate – becomes even weaker when propped up by unreliable offsets. Worse, there’s no real plan to phase out fossil fuels or scale up renewables.”
Switzerland has long depended on purchasing international carbon credits rather than prioritising ambitious domestic action. This pattern continues, with no clear quantification of how much of the target will be met through domestic reductions versus offsets. Without a robust commitment to cutting emissions at home, Switzerland risks failing to deliver real climate progress and undermining global efforts to transition away from fossil fuels, according to obsevers.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to an increase of 1.5 degrees. It obliges all countries to take concrete steps to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Countries must raise their reduction target every five years. Yet, Switzerland’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) fails to include clear domestic sectoral targets or a firm roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels in line with global climate goals, contends 350.org.
“Switzerland is perfectly poised; it has the resources and technological capacity to lead on ambitious climate action. Instead of taking the easy way out through offsets, the country should focus on investing in renewable energy, cutting fossil fuel subsidies, and implementing strong domestic policies that ensure a just and effective transition,” stressed Sieber.
