The government wants to purchase additional emission certificates to comply with an international agreement on reducing the output of greenhouse gases.
The environment ministry said it was mandated to negotiate a deal with an industry foundation to contribute to the estimated SFr60 million ($71.2 million) cost of the certificates.
Switzerland is likely to miss its target of cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by four million tonnes in the 2008-2012 period, according to a forecast published last November.
But the terms of the Kyoto Protocol allow industrialised countries to buy certificates for emission cuts from other countries if efforts at a domestic level are not sufficient.
Under the scheme the polluter pays a sum and the seller is rewarded for reducing emissions.
In 2003 Switzerland committed itself to reducing the amount of CO2 by eight per cent between 2008 and 2012, compared with 1990 levels.
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
Cancun paves way for global climate treaty
This content was published on
Over 190 nations meeting in the Mexican resort adopted the two-part climate agreement on Saturday. The deal, brokered by Mexico, includes the creation of a Green Climate Fund and steps to help share clean technologies such as wind and solar power, protect tropical forests and assist poor nations to adapt to impacts such as floods,…
This content was published on
A government delegation took the message this week to global talks in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on the future of climate change beyond 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires. About 1,000 government, business, research and environmental representatives attended the United Nations conference. A climate change expert in Bern, who is backing the Swiss campaign, said…
This content was published on
The move earlier this week was hailed as a step in the right direction by environmental groups, but opponents have made their reservations clear. “It is turning our back on efforts for an international climate policy and sends a strong negative signal to the European Union about a coordinated approach,” said Dominique Reber of the…
This content was published on
At the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen from December 7 to 18 about 200 countries are attempting to agree on a global climate accord. (Picture desk: Salome Weber, swissinfo.ch)
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.