IEA calls for a swift Swiss-EU deal on electricity
The Zervreilasee dam in Switzerland; hydro is a key component of Swiss energy.
Keystone
An international review of Switzerland’s energy policy, though largely positive, warns that a planned phase-out of nuclear energy will make it more difficult to remain low-carbon in coming decades.
The review, released on Monday by the International Energy Agency (IEA), lauds the “largely carbon-free electricity sector” that means Switzerland has the least carbon-intense energy supply of all 30 IEA member states.
Energy efficiency has improved notably, the agency wrote in a statementExternal link, with 2016 consumption remaining at the same level as it was in 2000 despite a 15% population growth and an economy 30% bigger.
The efficiency of buildings was highlighted as a key contributing factor, as was the boost in public funds allocated to research in the energy sector.
Settle accounts with Europe
However, with the country’s 2017 decision to phase-out nuclear power (which, along with hydro, drives the lion’s share of national electricity production), difficulties lie ahead in assuring security of supply, the IEA says.
It recommends pushing for a positive outcome in negotiations with the EU on the European integration of the Swiss electricity market – currently, as with a range of thematic issues, talks between Bern and Brussels are ongoing.
“The IEA encourages the Swiss government to bring ongoing negotiations with the EU on an electricity agreement to a successful outcome as both Switzerland and the EU will gain access to flexible energy supplies,” said IEA Deputy Executive Director Paul Simons.
In future, particularly in winter when low water levels impact on hydro production, Switzerland will need to turn to its neighbours for imports of electricity, the IEA foresees.
On the same day that the Geneva-based Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report saying that time is running out for efforts to limit rising temperatures to only 1.5 degrees Celsius, the IEA also said that Swiss emissions-reduction targets for 2020 look “ambitious based on current trends”.
Calling for more radical policies to meet the next set of binding targets in 2030, the IEA recommended better distributing the burden of carbon reduction across different sectors – notably fossil and motor fuels.
More
More
Swiss give green light for renewables and nuclear phase out
This content was published on
Voters have approved a new energy law that aims to promote renewable energy, ban new nuclear power plants and lower energy consumption.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Legal action filed against Swiss purchase of Israeli drones
This content was published on
Legal action aims to put an end to the delivery of the six Elbit reconnaissance drones already plagued by delays and setbacks.
Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures
This content was published on
The scrub encroachment on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, the bushes continue to spread.
Head of Swiss financial regulator’s Banks division quits
This content was published on
Thomas Hirschi, head of the Banks division of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA will leave at the end of August.
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
This content was published on
In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.
WHO ‘extremely concerned’ about growing vaccination scepticism
This content was published on
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccination scepticism and a collapse in funding for vaccination campaigns pose a major threat to the health of the world's population.
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
‘50-50 chance’ of Swiss-EU framework deal before end of year
This content was published on
Swiss lawyer Jean Russotto sees a “50-50 chance” for Switzerland and the EU to reach a deal in the coming months to formalise ties.
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.