CO<sub>2</sub> Act
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Aim
This Act aims to implement the objectives set out in the Federal Act of 30 September 2022 on Climate Protection Goals, Innovation and Strengthening Energy Security (ClA).
Art. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). SR 814.310
Art. 2 Definitions
In this Act: a. fossil thermal fuels means fossil fuels used for the generation of heat, the production of light, the production of electricity in thermal facilities or the operation of combined heat and power plants (CHP plants); b. fossil motor fuels means fossil fuels used in combustion engines to produce power; c. emission allowances means tradable rights to emit greenhouse gases allocated or auctioned by the Confederation or by states or communities of states with emissions trading systems (ETS) recognised by the Federal Council; d. national attestations means documents tradable in Switzerland attesting to verifiable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon sinks achieved in Switzerland; e. emission reduction certificates means internationally recognised tradable documents attesting to reductions in emissions achieved abroad in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol of 11 December 1997 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; f. international
Art. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). let. e — SR 0.814.011 let. f — SR 0.814.012
Art. 3 Reduction targets
1 The Confederation shall ensure that greenhouse gas emissions: a. amount to no more than 50 per cent of 1990’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2030; b. are reduced by at least 35 per cent on average in the years 2021–2030 compared to 1990. 2 The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions shall in the first instance be achieved through measures taken in Switzerland. The Federal Council shall determine the share of measures to be taken in Switzerland. 3 In accordance with Article 4 ClA, the Federal Council may set benchmark values for individual sectors. 4 It may set reduction targets for individual economic sectors by agreement with the parties concerned.
Art. 3 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). Para. 3 — SR 814.310
Art. 3a Relevant greenhouse gas emissions
1 The greenhouse gases emitted in Switzerland are relevant to achieving the reduction targets. The Federal Council shall designate the greenhouse gases. 2 Emissions from fossil motor fuels taken on in Switzerland for international flights and shipping shall not be taken into account. 3 The Federal Council shall determine the extent to which emission allowances from states or communities of states with ETSs recognised by the Federal Council shall be taken into account in order to achieve the reduction targets.
Art. 3a — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).
Art. 4 Measures
1 The reduction targets should in the first instance be achieved through measures under this Act. 2 Measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sinks in accordance with other legislation should also contribute to achieving the reduction target. These measures in particular include those in the fields of environment, subsoil, energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and timber industry, road traffic and the taxation of mineral oil, as well as voluntary measures. 3 Voluntary measures also include undertakings by consumers of fossil thermal and motor fuels to voluntarily limit their CO2 emissions. 4 The Federal Council may assign suitable organisations to support and carry out voluntary measures. 5 If the reduction targets cannot be achieved, the Confederation may acquire the international attestations required to achieve the targets.
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). Para. 5 — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).
Art. 5 One-off counting
Emission reductions and carbon sink increases achieved may be counted only once towards the fulfilment of obligations under this Act.
Art. 5 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).
Art. 6 International attestations
1 The Federal Council shall determine the requirements that emission reductions and carbon sink increases achieved abroad must fulfil in order for the international attestations that have been issued in their respect to be taken into account in Switzerland. 2 The requirements must satisfy the following criteria in particular: a. emission reductions and carbon sink increases may only be counted if they would not have been achieved without support from Switzerland; b. emission reductions and carbon sink increases in developing countries must contribute to sustainable development in those countries and must not have negative social or ecological impacts. 3 The Federal Council may specify that: a. international attestations for carbon sink increases achieved shall not be taken into account if the permanent capture of CO2 in carbon reservoirs cannot be guaranteed; b. in accordance with the Paris Agreement of 12 December 2015, a share of the emission reductions or carbon sink increases achie
Art. 6 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651). Para. 3 let. b — SR 0.814.012
Art. 7 Domestic attestations
The Federal Council shall set out the requirements that emission reductions and carbon sink increases achieved in Switzerland must fulfil in order for national attestations to be issued in their respect.
Art. 7 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).
Art. 7a Emissions statements for flight services
Aircraft operators must state the emissions expected to be caused by each flight they offer. The emissions must be stated in CO2 equivalents (CO2eq). The Federal Council shall regulate the details, taking internationally recognised methods into account.
Art. 7a — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).
Art. 8 Coordination of adaptation measures
1 The Confederation shall coordinate the measures to avoid or deal with the harm to persons or damage to property of substantial value that may be caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 2 It is responsible for devising and obtaining the basic knowledge necessary for these measures.
Art. 8a Exemptions for reasons of national defence
If required in the interests of national defence, the Federal Council may, by ordinance, provide for exemptions from the provisions of this Act.
Art. 8a — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 March 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 376; BBl 2022 2651).