Through practical projects, the pilot programme demonstrates how Switzerland can adapt to the changing climate. The projects span multiple sectors and are implemented in all cantons on a decentralised basis, under the overall responsibility of the Federal Office for the Environment.
The most important measure in fighting climate change is the consistent reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. Switzerland, along with 190 other countries, has committed to do so in the Paris Agreement. In the CO2 Act, the Swiss Confederation has defined various instruments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland.
Being prepared
Even if we successfully reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the climate will continue to change in the decades to come. We therefore have to adapt to new conditions. The Swiss Confederation has developed a corresponding strategy and action plan for adapting to climate change. Its aim is for authorities, the industry and the population to accept this challenge and tackle it together.
The Confederation’s mission is to provide the basis for the necessary measures and to link and coordinate the individual players and their activities. Learn more about the Confederation’s strategy and actionplan on the FOEN Website.
Promotion of exemplary projects
The adaptation strategy of the Confederation also incorporates the “adaptation to climate change” pilot programme. It supports exemplary, innovative plans by cantons, regions, cities and municipalities and shows how Switzerland can concretely adapt to the changing climate. The projects serve to minimise the climate risks on the ground, to increase the capacity for adaptation and to seize opportunities.
The pilot programme is intended to link the different players and to promote collaboration on all levels. Moreover, it also strives to find solutions in which several organisations, expert fields and political, economic and social structures participate. This creates feasible solutions. The implementation of the projects not only involves public institutions, but also companies from private industry.
Second phase underway
During the first phase of the pilot programme (2013 to 2017), 31 projects were implemented throughout Switzerland. Results can be found in the project archive. The second programme phase started in 2018, with another 50 projects on 6 topics (see reverse). The results will be available
at the end of 2022.
Ten Federal Offices participate in the pilot programme (see below). It is managed by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. The costs for the second phase of the pilot programme have been estimated at approximately 9.4 million francs. The expenses for the projects are jointly covered by the partici¬pating Federal Offices, as well as the cantons, cities and municipalities.
| The following federal offices are involved in the pilot programme, providing technical and financial support. |
|---|
| Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (management) |
| Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP |
| Federal Office for Energy FOE |
| Federal Office for Public Health FOPH |
| Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG |
| Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO |
| Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss |
| Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE |
| Federal Road Office FEDRO |
| Federal Office for Housing FOH |
Further informations
Links
Adaptation to climate change in Switzerland 2012
Goals, challenges and fields of action. First part of the Federal Council’s strategy. Adopted on 2 March 2012.
Anpassung an den Klimawandel 2014
Aktionsplan 2014–2019. Zweiter Teil der Strategie des Bundesrates vom 9. April 2014. 2014
Last modification 12.02.2018
Contact
Federal Office for the Environment
Reporting and Adaptation Section
Papiermühlestr. 172
3063 Ittigen