Federal Council
Bern, 11/27/2024 – At its meeting on November 27, 2024, the Federal Council decided to bring the Climate Protection Ordinance (OCl) into force on January 1, 2025, at the same time as the climate law and innovation (LCl). This law provides a legal basis for Switzerland’s long-term climate objectives. The OCl specifies the incentive instruments provided for by the LCl for the industry and construction sectors.
The LCl enshrines Switzerland’s climate objectives in national law, in particular the objective of net zero emissions by 2050 and the intermediate objectives for the periods 2031-2040 and 2041-2050. It is thus decisive for the design of Swiss climate policy and lays the foundations for its development. The OCl governs in particular the incentive instruments provided for by the LCl for the industry and construction sectors. In addition, it defines measures in the areas of adaptation to climate change and the compatibility of financial flows with climate objectives. At its meeting of November 27, 2024, the Federal Council decided to set the entry into force of the OCl on January 1, 2025, i.e. simultaneously with the LCl.
Impulse program for climate-friendly buildings
The LCl provides for the creation of a time-limited impulse program with a view, on the one hand, to the replacement of heating operating on oil or gas and electric heating with renewable systems that preserve the climate and, on the other hand, on the other hand, improving energy efficiency. The OCl determines the conditions for granting the incentive, which focuses on areas in which support is currently insufficient. In accordance with the LCl, the emphasis is therefore placed on replacing fossil fuel heating in residential buildings. The replacement of inefficient electric heaters with modern heating systems running on renewable energy is another important point of the ordinance.
Climate-friendly technologies and processes in industry
Under the LCl, innovative technologies and processes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or capturing and storing CO2 can be encouraged until 2030. Thus, companies can benefit from support if they establish a net zero roadmap and detail the measures to be promoted. The OCl specifies additional incentive criteria, as well as the procedure for granting financial aid. In addition, it regulates the way in which small and medium-sized businesses can access this incentive through their professional associations.
Adaptation to climate change and optional climate testing
The OCl defines the modalities linked to the newly created network in the field of adaptation to climate change. Intended to improve exchanges between the Confederation, the cantons, the municipalities as well as the economic and scientific circles, this network aims to harmonize the corresponding strategies and measures. Furthermore, the OCl anchors, on a legal level, the climate tests carried out voluntarily by the financial sector. These tests, the most recent results of which were published on November 7, 2024 by the Federal Office for the Environment, allow the Federal Council to regularly check the progress made by the financial sector with regard to its contribution to achieving the objectives set in the LCl.
Address for sending questions
Media service of the Federal Office for the Environment, tel. +41 58 462 90 00, [email protected]
Auteur
Federal Council
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
