Renewable energy production is just one of the aspects of the initiative.
(Keystone)There is little dispute that the Swiss must reduce their ecological footprint, but the devil lies in the details. Voters will decide on Sunday whether there should be more govement intervention.
If everyone lived like the Swiss 2.8 times worth the Earth’s resources would be used up every year. Put another way, we would need three planets instead of one.
As part of the 2015 Paris climate accord, Switzerland has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 1990 levels by 2030 at the latest. The pledge is subject to parliamentary approval.
And now, the Swiss are being asked to take a further step. The Green Party initiative, if accepted by voters on Sunday, will commit Switzerland to achieving a sustainable use of natural resources by 2050. In other words, reducing consumption so only one planet is needed.
The advocates for the initiative have argued that the govement must intervene if Switzerland is to achieve this goal. They want to amend the constitution to require the govement to promote research and iovation in order to improve the sustainable and efficient use of resources, as well as introduce new product regulations and tax incentives.
Clean-tech
The Greens say by giving a boost to new technologies in the clean-tech sector – which has been recording high growth rates – Switzerland can boost its competitive edge.
But the cabinet, as well as a large majority in both houses of parliament, are opposed to the initiative.
In August, Doris Leuthard, the environment minister, outlined the govement position. “The initiative calls for too much in too short a time,” she said.
The 2050 target could lead to far-reaching structural changes, endangering Switzerland’s highly prized competitiveness and economic growth. The cabinet prefers a staggered approach. The incentive for businesses to use resources more efficiently, Leuthard added, are cost savings and less dependency on imported supplies and goods.
Leuthard also said Switzerland could not act alone to achieve a green economy.
Opinion poll
The last opinion poll showed 51% of people surveyed were in favour of the initiative, with 11% undecided. However, support had been above 60% only a month earlier. The GfS Be polling and research institute said the negative trend would likely continue with the result on Sunday being a small majority voting down the initiative at the ballot box.
What is clear is the demographic breakdown. Opposed to the initiative is a majority of male voters, as well as people in German-speaking cantons (approximately two-thirds of the country) and pensioners. The largest support – about 58% - is among people under the age of 39.
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