Advertisement ::

Enlarge Cartoon

Swiss forest, Valais: improved forest management and greater use of wood for buildings and heating fuel are helping reduce CO2.

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Switzerland will likely meet its 2012 obligations for reducing CO2 that are part of the Kyoto Protocol, which it ratified in 2012. It should also be able to meet the country’s stricter CO2 Act obligations.

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) studies show that Switzerland is on course to reduce CO2, the most harmful greenhouse gas, in 2012 by 8%, to lower than 1990 levels. The expected reduction is based on economic projections, however, and could be greatly affected by significant changes in industrial production and other economic factors.

“The principal sources of CO2 emissions are transport, fossil-fuel heating systems and industry,” notes the FOEN in a press release. “In order to cut CO2 emissions in these sectors, the Confederation introduced a CO2 tax on fuels and approved the private commercial Climate Cent charge on motor fuels, concluded agreements with the commercial sector, undertook energy action plans and is planning a bonus/malus system for cars.”