26th UN Climate Conference: Swiss delegation’s mandate approved

Official sponsor year 2020 and year 2021

At its session in August 2021, the Federal Council gave the mandate to the Swiss delegation to the 26th United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) to be held from 1 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Switzerland will commit to uniform and effective rules for the implementation of the Agreement binding to all countries.

The Paris climate agreement obliges all countries to take concrete steps from 2020 to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Every five years, countries should revise their reduction targets upwards, take relevant measures to achieve them, and report on progress. The agreement also includes provisions for climate change adaptation and support measures such as financing and technology transfers to developing countries.

Important topics of 26th climate conference

The 26th climate conference will require the adoption of Paris Agreement implementation rules that are still pending, specifically those aimed at regulating the calculation of emissions reductions achieved by countries through projects carried out abroad. Glasgow will also discuss a new common funding objective to support climate protection measures in developing countries for the period after 2025, as well as ways to strengthen climate protection and climate change adaptation. Agreement to meet 1.5 degree warming target set by Paris

Situation of Switzerland: Uniform and effective rule for all countries

In accordance with the mandate approved by the Federal Council, the Swiss delegation will strive for stronger regulations that ensure the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement at the international level. The delegation would particularly oppose multiple calculations (by donor and recipient country) of emissions reductions, as it would jeopardize the objectives and effectiveness of the Paris Agreement. The rules should also ensure that projects carried out abroad do not have any impact on the environment or human rights.

Switzerland will work to ensure that investments in climate protection are strengthened on a global scale. It also aims to engage the economy: financial flows must be climate-oriented. Ultimately, all countries must contribute to achieving the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees with long-term climate strategies and a climate neutrality goal for 2050.

Swiss Delegation to the 26th Climate Conference

For the inauguration of COP26, Switzerland will be represented by Guy Parmelin, President of the Confederation, at the Heads of State and Government meeting. During the second week of the conference, the environment minister will meet at the highest political level for discussions. Switzerland will be represented by Federal Councilor Simonetta Somaruga, who heads the Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). The Swiss negotiating delegation will be led by the Environment Ambassador and Head of the International Affairs Department of FOEN, Franz Perez. The delegation also includes three civil society representatives from the Chambers of Economic and Climate Protection.