Governance & Policy
Swiss CO2 Act
Definition
The Swiss CO2 Act, in force in successive versions since 2000 and consolidated in the 2012 revision, is Switzerland's main climate instrument. It imposes a levy on fossil heating fuels with partial redistribution to households and businesses, requires importers of transport fuels to compensate a share of emissions, sets CO2 standards for new cars and buildings, and underpins Switzerland's link to the EU emissions trading system.
References
Legal text, levy and instruments
Comparative context
Overview
What it means
Switzerland decarbonises through a durable price-and-standards mix rather than a single framework target law.
How it is used
Fuel suppliers surrender compensation credits; building owners access levy-funded renovation subsidies; industry opts into ETS-linked arrangements.
Why it matters
It is one of Europe's longest-running carbon pricing regimes and a case study in climate policy surviving referendums.