Minister hails progress on environmental issues after West Africa trip
Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has welcomed progress on environmental protection following a visit to Ghana and Senegal.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/FOEN/SWI swissinfo.ch/ilj
She is now looking ahead to the COP26 global environmental meeting in Glasgow later this year.
“Ghana and Senegal have a very young population…. Together we can help protect the climate and create jobs,” Sommaruga told the Keystone-SDA news agency after wrapping up her five-day trip.
During the visit, Sommaruga signed a climate agreementExternal link between Switzerland and Senegal. It is the third such agreement to compensate for CO2 emissions under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
More
More
Switzerland and Senegal sign climate deal
This content was published on
Simonetta Sommaruga has signed a climate agreement with Senegal, the third agreement to compensate for CO2 emissions under the Paris Agreement.
Switzerland signed corresponding international agreements with Peru and Ghana around six months ago. These agreements allow Switzerland to offset CO2 emissions by financing projects in the partner countries.
In Ghana, the minister agreed steps to speed up the implementation of the above-mentioned climate agreement. The issue of electronic waste was also a focus.
More
More
Switzerland and Ghana join forces to campaign against e-waste
This content was published on
The two countries say electronic waste should be among the exports subject to authorisation worldwide.
The Paris Agreement, which was adopted by nearly 200 countries – including Switzerland – will be discussed at the United Nations climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.
One of the issues on the agenda is the agreement’s Article 6 on voluntary international cooperation on climate action (which is linked to the Ghana and Senegal deals). Countries have yet to reach a consensus on how to apply this article.
For Sommaruga, “what is important is that we prove with our climate agreements that it’s possible to have robust, effective and transparent rules that serve both countries”.
She added that such rules were in the interest of all countries and that Switzerland was very committed to ensuring that a solution could be found.
Plan B
“That’s why we need a Plan B,” Sommaruga stated. “I am in the process of preparing a Plan B with some allies. It involves a group of countries announcing that even with no agreement, they will apply robust rules, thinking not only of the climate, but also respecting human rights and environmental standards.”
Asked whether Switzerland was having more success internationally on green issues than at home – given that the Swiss CO2 law was defeated at the ballot box in June – Sommaruga said that Switzerland had always been active both nationally and internationally. But she added that that Switzerland needed “a new start” at home and the population was expecting this too.
More
More
Swiss CO2 law defeated at the ballot box
This content was published on
Swiss voters have rejected legislation at the heart of the country’s strategy to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
This content was published on
The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
This content was published on
PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
This content was published on
The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
This content was published on
The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
This content was published on
Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
This content was published on
Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
This content was published on
Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
This content was published on
A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
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
Switzerland signs Paris climate agreement
This content was published on
“Signing this agreement is more than just a symbolic gesture. We are saying yes to a world that will gradually leave the fossil fuel era behind it,” said Leuthard. She added that Switzerland plans to ratify the Paris Agreement by the end of 2017. The environment minister called for innovation to create a green economy…
‘Pioneering’ Swiss government approves climate deal with Peru
This content was published on
The Swiss government has approved a deal that establishes a framework for some of Switzerland’s CO2 emissions to be offset through projects in Peru.
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.