Climate change also has an impact on the environment, the economy and society in Switzerland. Measures to adapt to these impacts are already necessary today and will become increasingly important in the future.
The climate of Switzerland will continue to change in the future. The extent of these changes depends largely on future global greenhouse gas emissions. The higher the emissions, the stronger the expected climatic changes will be. In an average emission scenario, temperatures will rise in all parts of the country and in all seasons in the coming decades. Especially in the second half of the 21st century, a significant decrease in summer precipitation can be expected. Climate change has an impact on the environment, the economy and society. Switzerland must adapt to the effects of climate change in the coming decades, but adaptation to climate change is already necessary today and will become increasingly important in the future. With the Adaptation Strategy in Switzerland (2012) and the associated Action Plan (2014), the Federal Council is setting the framework for a coordinated approach to adaptation to climate change at federal level. Adaptation, however, is a joint task of the Confederation, cantons, municipalities and private individuals.
The most important challenges for adaptation arising directly from the effects of climate change in Switzerland are the following:
- greater heat stress in cities and agglomerations
- increasing summer dryness
- increasing flood risk
- decreasing slope stability and more frequent mass movements
- rising snow line
- deterioration of water, soil and air quality
- changes in habitats, species composition and landscape
- spread of harmful organisms, diseases and alien species
- monitoring and early detection
- reduction of uncertainties and closing of knowledge gaps
- awareness-raising, information and coordination
- resource requirements and financing
Last modification 30.11.2018
