Swiss lawmakers weigh flight levies and urban greenery to tackle heat

Swiss lawmakers have assessed community proposals to reduce the effects of future heatwaves, including making flying less attractive and replacing asphalt with greenery. SRF gathered the ideas ahead of a National Council debate on heatwaves and drought scheduled for Wednesday.

SRF’s dialog community submitted suggestions and voted on them. The most popular proposals were put to parliamentarians, who were asked how useful they would be and whether they could become policy.

One proposal called for Switzerland to cut greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring that flights no longer cost less than train journeys. Green MP Franziska Ryser said studies show that even moderate increases in airfares can encourage people to switch to trains. She said this could substantially reduce CO2 emissions, particularly on short- and medium-haul routes.

Hasan Candan of the Social Democratic Party said shifting travel from planes to trains can be an effective climate measure where good rail connections exist. He said there were currently good chances of winning political support for an air ticket levy, and that a broadly supported popular initiative was collecting signatures.

Social Democratic MP Nadine Masshardt said aviation accounts for 27 percent of Switzerland’s climate impact and benefits from tax exemptions. Unlike drivers and homeowners, she said, the aviation sector pays neither fuel tax, value-added tax nor a CO2 levy. Several neighbouring countries already have air ticket levies, she added, and the measure could be introduced quickly with sufficient political will.

FDP MP Christian Wasserfallen argued that Switzerland produces only about 0.08 percent of global CO2 emissions and said comparing planes with trains was counterproductive. The priority, he said, should be reducing emissions as effectively and economically as possible. Centre Party MP Christine Bulliard-Marbach said shifting passengers from air to rail could significantly cut emissions, but a CO2 levy would require approval from both parliament and the public.

Green Liberal MP Barbara Schaffner said Switzerland should use its technological and economic strength to lead efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that trains and planes face more equal conditions. Ryser said parliament and the Federal Council had already backed an air ticket levy, and that an initiative would return the issue to the political agenda. She said a fair correction to today’s low-cost flights was realistic in the medium term.

A second proposal called for planting trees that can withstand both drought and heavy rainfall, and breaking up paved surfaces with gravel paths and vegetation. Candan said trees help cool the environment, while forests and wetlands need to be protected and restored to retain water. He added that the best climate adaptation is a tree that is not cut down.

Schaffner said more greenery, especially in cities, is the most effective way to lower local temperatures and called for more green roofs and facades. Wasserfallen said cities and municipalities should take practical action. Masshardt said measures such as sponge cities and removing pavement where possible require cooperation between federal, cantonal and local authorities.