27 February 2015: The Government of Switzerland has become the first party to the UNFCCC to announce its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC). The INDC states that the country will reduce emissions 50% below 1990 levels by 2030, with 30% of those reductions achieved within its borders. The remaining reductions may be attained via projects completed abroad, according to the contribution.

Switzerland’s INDC covers the following sectors: energy; industrial processes and product use; agriculture; land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); and waste. The greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) covered are the seven already treated by Swiss national legislation: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).

Switzerland notes that a draft revision of the Carbon Dioxide Act will be submitted for consultation in mid-2016 and will reinforce existing measures in support of its commitment. It also highlights that the Federal Council’s long-term objective is to reduce per capita emissions to one or one-and-a-half tonnes annually.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres welcomed Switzerland’s “leadership, commitment and its support towards a successful outcome in Paris in 10 months’ time.” She stressed that “momentum towards Paris is building everywhere” and looked forward to the submission of more INDCs over the coming weeks and months.

All parties to the UNFCCC are expected to submit INDCs in advance of the Paris Climate Change Conference, which will held in December 2015. Those submitted by 1 October 2015 will be included in a synthesis report on their aggregate effect by 1 November 2015. Parties are anticipated to agree on a global climate change agreement to take effect in 2020 at the Paris Climate Change Conference. [Government of Switzerland Press Release] [UNFCCC Press Release] [Switzerland’s INDC]