Swiss CO2 emissions at record low in 2022

: Emissions
23/07/11

Switzerland saw a strong fall in CO2 emissions in 2022, following a rebound in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic, the country's federal environment office said today.

Switzerland's transport, household, energy and industry sectors covered by the country's CO2 statistics emitted 27.89mn t of CO2 last year, which is 9pc lower than in 2021 and the lowest since records began in 1990.

CO2 emissions from the transport sector fell by just 1pc to 14.61mn t of CO2, although they were 8pc lower than in 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic. The fall can be attributed to the increasing share of e-mobility in the sector, the federal environment office said.

CO2 emissions from the heating sector in 2022 slumped by 17.7pc to 12.93mn t of CO2, although adjusted for the weather, the emissions reduction amounted to just 4.9pc. Heating fuel consumption fell in 2022 as a result of high energy prices and relatively mild weather, and also because of the improved energy efficiency of buildings and a higher share in renewable energies in the heating sector.

Outdoor temperatures and solar irradiation have a relatively high impact on Switzerland's heating fuel consumption.

The data released today are published under Switzerland's CO2 law, through which the country's CO2 levy and the mandatory share of carbon emissions compensation for motor fuels is regulated.

The weather-adjusted emissions development plays a role in setting the CO2 levy, which has stood at 120 Swiss francs/t ($136.30/t) of CO2 since 2022.

Motor fuel importers have had to compensate 15pc of fuel emissions since 2022, compared with 12pc in 2021 and 10pc in 2020.

Switzerland will publish its full greenhouse gas (GHG) data for 2022 in April 2024. This full data will contain CO2 emissions not included in the CO2 law, such as CO2 process emissions included in the country's emissions trading system, GHG emissions from the waste sector and methane emissions from agriculture.

The country has pledged to cut its GHG emissions by 50pc by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. Swiss GHG emissions totalled 45.25mn t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2021, 18pc down on 1990 levels. Agricultural emissions accounted for 6.8mn t of CO2e, or 15pc.

By Chloe Jardine

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25/12/19

Australia needs electricity carbon policy: Commission

Sydney, 19 December (Argus) — The Australian government should introduce a national market-based policy to drive electricity sector decarbonisation, potentially modelled on the existing safeguard mechanism, economic research and advisory body the Productivity Commission (PC) said in a final report today. The PC had previously recommended applying the safeguard mechanism to electricity generators at the facility level, but it may be better to consider this issue separately, it noted in a final inquiry report into "investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation". "Multiple policy options will need to be considered for the electricity sector, and even if a baseline-and-credit scheme is preferred, it may be better to keep this separate from the safeguard mechanism, at least at first, to avoid risks of uncertainty and disruption in the carbon credit markets that support that policy," the PC said. Currently there is little relationship between the emissions intensity of Australia's remaining coal-fired power plants and their announced retirement dates, according to the commission. Recognising the value of emissions reduction would pave the way for more emissions-intensive plants to retire earlier, it argued. Electricity excluded from safeguard mechanism Under the safeguard mechanism, facilities emitting more than 100,000t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in a compliance year across several sectors earn safeguard mechanism credits (SMCs) if they report scope 1 emissions below their baselines, and must surrender SMCs or Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) if their emissions are above the threshold. The electricity sector, Australia's largest emitter, is effectively excluded from the mechanism because the emissions reduction policy for the segment has been focused on renewable electricity targets. The mechanism applies a single sectoral baseline of 198mn t CO2e/yr across all electricity generators connected to Australia's main electricity grids, which is way above recent data — emissions from the electricity generation sector reached a combined 138.9mn t CO2e in the 2023-24 compliance year. A decision on whether to expand the mechanism to electricity may be considered in the upcoming safeguard mechanism review in 2026-27 . NEM review But any new policy will need to complement reforms arising from the National Electricity Market (NEM) review, which also received a final report this week . The decision will also need to be consistent with several policies and agreements already in place to support new investment or manage the exit of coal plants across Australia, the PC noted. While the existing Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) and the proposed Electricity Services Entry Mechanism (ESEM) scheme mainly target renewable output or capacity, a least-cost emissions-reduction policy would help companies deciding when to retire coal and gas plants, according to the commission. This will be even more important if the Australian government prioritises firming auctions, which may support new gas-fired plants. Emissions policy uncertainty has been a major barrier to investment in gas-powered generation, the PC said. "Firming auctions will be more effective if project proponents know in advance how their emissions will be treated," it noted. Apart from a policy to drive electricity sector decarbonisation, the PC's final report urges the government to expand the safeguard mechanism , phase out fuel tax credits for on-road heavy vehicle operators, and reduce barriers to adopting low-emissions technology for heavy vehicles. And it also calls the government to phase out the fringe benefits tax exemption for electric vehicles (EVs), a recommendation that was criticised by industry body EV Council . By Juan Weik Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US House passes bill to expedite permitting

25/12/18

US House passes bill to expedite permitting

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2026 set to be among 4 hottest years: UK Met Office

25/12/18

2026 set to be among 4 hottest years: UK Met Office

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Denmark pledges $9.5bn over 15 years for climate goals

25/12/18

Denmark pledges $9.5bn over 15 years for climate goals

London, 18 December (Argus) — Denmark has set aside 4bn Danish kroner ($630mn) annually for 15 years from 2034 in order to reach its climate goals, climate minister Lars Aagaard said today. The government has set the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target for 2035 — a cut of 82pc from 1990 levels, which Aagaard announced at the UN Cop 30 climate summit in November. Denmark aims to reach net zero emissions by 2045, and negative emissions beyond that. The government has since the end of November negotiated with all parties in parliament on the new 2035 climate goal, it said today. The target is set, although there was not "common ground to be able to make a broad agreement", Aagaard said today. "The door is still open for co-operation," he said. "I also think that there is a possibility of raising the target at a later date if the conditions change." The government has prioritised the "necessary financing" to hit climate goals, Aagaard said. "Everyday life must not become unnecessarily expensive for Danes and Danish companies," he said. "We are in a different place than we were in 2019, when the last target was set." Denmark's 2035 goal is one of the most ambitious in the world. It is similar to fellow northwest European oil and gas producer the UK , which has set a goal of 81pc GHG cuts over 1990-2035. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

N Zealand proposes ETS governance penalties

25/12/18

N Zealand proposes ETS governance penalties

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