By 2050, rail traffic between Switzerland and Italy should be climate-neutral. The transport ministers of both countries spoke via video conference.
the essentials in brief
- Train traffic between Italy and Switzerland should be climate-neutral by 2050.
- Sommaruga and her Italian counterpart discussed this at a video conference.
- The two countries are already pursuing common goals in energy policy.
By 2050, passenger and freight trains between Switzerland and Italy are to be climate-neutral. According to the federal government, both countries want to sign a declaration of intent next year. Minister of Transport Simonetta Sommaruga discussed the issue with her Italian counterpart Enrico Giovannini at a video conference on Friday. This was announced by the Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK).
In addition, Sommaruga and Giovannini discussed how the journey time between Zurich and Milan could be reduced to three hours. According to the UVEK, this corresponds to the goals of the New Railway Transversal through the Alps (NRLA). In order to achieve this, Switzerland is counting on a third track being built in Italy between Cantù and Camnago.
Sommaruga and Giovannini also agreed on safety work in the Great St. Bernhard road tunnel between Valais and Aosta in Italy. The ventilation panel is to be renewed along the entire length of the tunnel.
Ecological change and energy policy are other topics of discussion
Sommaruga also spoke to the Italian minister for ecological change, Roberto Cingolani, about energy policy in view of the Ukraine war. Italy wants to become less dependent on Russian gas. According to UVEK, securing the gas supply in Switzerland and possible cooperation were also discussed.
In energy policy, Italy and Switzerland would pursue common interests, it said. According to UVEK, the partnership between the two countries is already close when it comes to gas and electricity supply.
Should Russian gas deliveries in Europe fail, Switzerland could receive gas from North Africa and Azerbaijan via Italy. The Association of the Swiss Gas Industry told the AWP news agency at the beginning of April.
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