Swiss lawmakers clash over heat and climate measures

Swiss lawmakers debated how to respond to heatwaves and drought after a record-breaking summer, with disagreements over climate policy and energy choices. The discussion, reported by SRF, followed six urgent interpellations submitted to the Federal Council.

The questions, brought mainly by left-wing lawmakers, covered water shortages in the Alps, forest damage, climate protection, infrastructure adaptation and faster approval procedures. Some had titles that critics described as alarmist, including: “The hot summer is breaking all records. How long will the Federal Council keep watching?”

Christian Wasserfallen of the FDP accused the left of inconsistency, citing its opposition to genetic technology despite what he said were its potential climate benefits.

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti said he took the effects of heat seriously and had not been surprised by them. He added that not all heat-related measures fell under the federal government’s responsibility. For example, decisions on air conditioning in care homes rest with cantons and municipalities, while Parliament had approved the strategy for managing forests.

The Federal Council provided 71.5 million francs in August to support agriculture and forestry. It plans to revise Switzerland’s climate adaptation strategy and introduce a heat action plan for 2026 to 2031. A national water management strategy focused on retaining and storing water is also in preparation. Key points are expected by spring, with the full strategy due by the end of 2027.

Rösti said the government’s priority was to move away from fossil fuels, but opposed bans on oil heating and fossil-fuel vehicles, citing social policy concerns. He pointed to planned investment in transport through the “Verkehr 45” project and said the government would also report on mobility pricing.

FDP co-president Susanne Vincent-Stauffacher called for more electricity from renewable sources and nuclear power, and said nuclear plants should operate for longer as long as they remain safe. Rösti also backed extending the operation of existing nuclear plants and building new ones. He said lifting the ban on new nuclear power plants was necessary to avoid electricity shortages. A referendum opposing the lifting of the ban has now gone ahead, allowing voters to have their say.

The debate showed broad agreement that action is needed to address future heatwaves and droughts, but lawmakers remain divided over how to protect the climate and adapt to its effects, including which technologies to use.