Lucerne city parliament declares climate emergency
Lucerne’s cantonal parliament had already declared a climate emergency on June 24
Keystone
Lucerne has become the latest Swiss city to approve proposals urging the government to implement climate-related regulations. On Thursday it adopted a petition by the Young Green Party and declared a symbolic climate emergency.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ts
The petition, signed by more than 1,000 people, calls in particular for the elimination of CO2 emissions by 2030.
Lucerne’s cantonal parliament had already declared a climate emergency on June 24. Neuchâtel cantonal parliament did so two days later by approving a popular motion signed by 1,025 people.
On Friday, Geneva cantonal parliament overwhelmingly came out in favour of a plan launched by the Greens with the support of left-wing parties. It calls on the government to present an action plan.
Many Swiss cantons, cities and towns have declared a “climate emergency” since February. Similar moves are also pending in the Swiss parliament.
Symbolic value
Critics point out that a declaring a climate emergency has largely symbolic value as long as it is not linked to a concrete action plan.
However, numerous climate protests across Switzerland over the past ten months have built up a momentum and put pressure on politicians.
Green parties were the clear winners in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, making historic gains.
More
More
How climate change affects Switzerland
This content was published on
On average, Switzerland is about 1.9° Celsius hotter now than in 1864. Where and by how much have temperatures most drastically changed?
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss elections: Landslide Green gains tip parliament to the left
This content was published on
Green parties have made major gains at the expense of parties to the right and the left in elections to the Swiss parliament.
Geneva to introduce measures to reduce CO2 emissions
This content was published on
Geneva has become the latest Swiss canton to approve proposals urging the government to tighten climate-related regulations.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.