The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference took place in Dubai from 30 November to 13 December. Switzerland signed the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015, which commits all countries to reducing their CO2 emissions. At home, Switzerland is aiming to become CO2-free by 2050, and at international level it is committed to, among other things, the fair financing of preventive measures against climate-related damage in poor countries. While at COP28 Federal Councillor Albert Rösti signed two agreements, one with Chile and one with Tunisia, which will enable emissions reduction projects in these countries. The agreements will also allow Switzerland to count these emissions reductions towards its own fossil-fuel reduction targets.
Bilateral meetings
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti attended COP28 on 9 and 10 December. He held discussions with several environment ministers there, including exchanges on the need for all countries to contribute fairly to financing climate-related damage and preventive measures in poor countries and for major emitters to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Incontro bilaterale con il ministro tailandese delle risorse naturali e dell’ambiente, Patcharawat Wongsuwan
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Bilateral meeting with Robert Andrén, Director General of the Swedish Energy Agency
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Breakfast meeting of the ministers of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG), which Switzerland chairs (Federal Councillor Albert Rösti). Also present were the environment ministers from South Korea (Hyoeun Jenny Kim), Mexico (Joel Antonio Hernández García), Monaco (Isabelle Berro-Amadeï), Liechtenstein (Sabine Monauni) and Georgia (Nino Tandilashvili). The EIG is committed to progressive climate policy.
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Brazil: Environment Minister João Paulo Ribeiro Capobianco
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Australia: Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen
© DETECSigning of emissions reduction agreements with Tunisia and Chile
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti signed bilateral emissions reduction agreements with Chile and Tunisia on 9 December. These agreements benefit all parties: they will enable Chile and Tunisia to lower their CO2 emissions, while also allowing Switzerland to count these emissions reductions towards its fossil-fuel reduction targets.
Bilateral agreement with Chile: Environment Minister María Heloisa Rojas Corradi
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Bilateral agreement with Tunisia: Environment Minister Leila Chikhaoui Mahdaoui
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Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and Environment Ambassador Felix Wertli
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Environment Ambassador Felix Wertli, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti and Ambassador Arthur Mattli
© DETECFocus on global stocktake
The main aim of this UN Climate Change Conference was to take stock of the progress made under the Paris Agreement. Switzerland advocated for the disclosure of shortcomings in efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, adapt to climate change and support climate finance. Recommendations for all countries were developed from this information in order to achieve the goals of the agreement. Switzerland was also committed to ensure that all countries contribute fairly to the financing of climate-related damage in poor countries.
