The Swiss approved this Sunday, in a referendum, a new law that establishes carbon neutrality in the country until 2050 and a new 15% tax on large companies with international activity, advances the AFP.
The French news agency reports that the “yes” to the so-called “Federal Law on the Objectives of Climate Protection, Innovation and Strengthening of Energy Security” reached 57.95%, according to the official count in 24 of the 26 cantons, and that the new tax had an approval rating of 78.24%, in a referendum that had a turnout of around 42%.
The new law had the support of all major parties and the federal government, with only the radical right-wing party, the SVP, campaigning for “no”, raising the specter of power shortages and disproportionate price increases.
“The Swiss people are sending a strong signal. Today the law to bring the country to zero emissions was passed (…) I am delighted that the arguments of climate science have been heard,” the climate expert wrote on Twitter. Matthias Huss. , quoted by AFP.
Energy is a sensitive issue in that alpine country, which depends 75% on imports and whose energy fragility was dramatically evidenced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The new law aims to reduce Switzerland’s dependence on foreign energy sources, while also aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, without imposing bans or new taxes.
The bill provides for a gradual reduction in oil and gas consumption, without banning it, and the production of more energy from renewable sources, as well as supporting more climate-friendly heating systems.
Vote was also a constitutional amendment that allows taxing large internationally active business groups at a rate of at least 15%, under a project of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G20.
The minimum taxation will be applied to groups of companies with an annual turnover of at least 750 million euros.
The Swiss authorities estimate that this new tax will affect “several hundred” Swiss economic groups and estimate that additional tax revenue will reach between 1 and 2.5 billion Swiss francs in the first year.
Source: TSF
