Climate Policy: Switzerland's Emission Reduction Strategies

This lecture discusses the complexities of climate change mitigation, focusing on Switzerland's policies and objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The instructor begins by presenting the paradox of climate change mitigation, emphasizing the need for all major emitters to incur costs without guaranteed benefits. The lecture outlines Switzerland's historical emissions data, highlighting the impact of oil price shocks in the 1970s that led to a shift in energy policy. The instructor details the various greenhouse gases emitted in Switzerland and their sources, stressing the importance of reducing fossil fuel dependency. The lecture also reviews the objectives set by the Swiss CO2 law and the challenges faced in meeting these targets. The discussion includes the effectiveness of past policies, the role of international agreements like the Paris Accord, and the necessity for a significant acceleration in decarbonization efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The lecture concludes with an evaluation of Switzerland's current standing in global climate commitments and the urgent need for more ambitious actions.