Climate Law
On June 18 2023, Swiss citizens will vote on the indirect counterproposal to the Glacier Initiative (Federal Act on Climate Protection Goals, Innovation and Strengthening Energy Security). The law sets a target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as well as interim targets for buildings, transport and industry, and measures to achieve the targets.
To make the views of research economists in academia on the topic visible to the public, the KOF, together with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), conducted in May 2023 a short survey.
KOF contacted 853 economists for the survey. We received responses from 124 economists from 17 institutions.
Results
1. If Switzerland sets a net zero emissions target for 2050, do you think it will be able to achieve it with the measures contained in the counterproposal up for vote? I think Switzerland can
2. Switzerland counts emission reductions from climate protection projects abroad: According to the revised CO2 law (currently under consultation), in 2030 emissions should be 50 percent below 1990 levels, with two-thirds of the savings to be made domestically. For economic reasons, Switzerland should achieve
3. Market-based instruments for reducing CO2 emissions include CO2 levies or CO2 certificates. Which of these two instruments do you consider more appropriate?
4. If companies from countries with less ambitious climate targets export their goods to Switzerland, they may face a cost advantage over Swiss companies. Should Switzerland therefore introduce CO2 levies (border adjustment tax) on imports from such countries?
5. If Swiss companies export their goods to countries with less ambitious climate targets, they may face a cost disadvantage. Should Switzerland therefore introduce subsidies for exports to such countries?
6. The emissions trading systems in Switzerland and the EU both cover parts of industry and aviation. Do you consider emissions trading to be an appropriate instrument for these and possibly other sectors of the economy, so that the coverage of the systems should be expanded, maintained or reduced? The instrument of emissions trading should
The press release can be found here.
The NZZ article (in German) can be found external page here.
About this survey
KOF is acting as a mediator between academic researchers and the public. It aims to make the voices of research economists heard. KOF categorises economic researchers as those from Swiss research institutions who have published scientifically.
The survey was conducted together with the external page Neuen Zürcher Zeitung.
Contact
KOF FB Konjunkturumfragen
Leonhardstrasse 21
8092
Zürich
Switzerland
KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle
Leonhardstrasse 21
8092
Zürich
Switzerland