Swiss Referendum Rejects Strengthening of Carbon Dioxide Emission Regulations

[Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Major foreign media reported on the 13th (local time) that Switzerland rejected a bill to strengthen carbon dioxide emission regulations in a national referendum.

The Swiss government prepared the bill to participate in carbon emission reduction under the Paris Climate Agreement and submitted it to a national referendum. However, the government proposal failed to pass with 48.4% in favor and 51.5% against.

The government drafted the bill mainly to increase taxes imposed on carbon dioxide, but the public rejected it citing the high cost burden.

With the bill rejected, setbacks are expected in achieving the government’s goal of reducing carbon emissions to half of the 1990 level by 2030.

Switzerland, a small country with a population of 8.5 million, pursues direct democracy and decides important policy directions through national referendums.