COP22 – Switzerland adopts an integral and participative approach

Switzerland will provide information on its contribution to the fight against climate change at the COP22 which will take place from 7 to 18 November in Marrakesh. Switzerland’s approach is based on three pillars – political, civil society and private sector pillars.

Greenhouse gases do not stop at borders. Climate change requires us to adopt new lifestyles, change our habits and transform our economies. While Morocco is faced with the problems of drought, flooding and climatic migration, in Switzerland it is the mountain ecosystem that is most vulnerable to climate change. Concerted global action is vital not just for these two countries, but also at international level. Switzerland is pursuing an active, integral and participative policy in favour of climate protection and, in particular, the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and therefore limiting global warming to two degrees. Switzerland’s approach at the COP22 in Marrakesh will be based on three complementary pillars – political, civil society and private sector pillars. This reflects the format of Switzerland’s presence at COP22 exactly.

First pillar: Switzerland is pursuing an active policy at institutional level

Through its law on CO2, Switzerland is contributing to the international goal of restricting global warming to two degrees. The law stipulates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland of at least 20% by 2020 compared with the 1990 level. It primarily provides for measures on fossil heating and motor fuels but also takes account of other significant greenhouse gases. The law also gives the Swiss Confederation a coordinating role in the process of adapting to climate change.

Second pillar: Switzerland focuses on young people and French-speaking Africa

In addition to its action at political level in the blue zone, Switzerland has strengthened its alliance with Morocco for the COP22, enabling two ambitious projects to be supported – the young people’s area and the climate trophies initiatives in the zone dedicated to civil society.

The area for young people (300m2) planned for the green zone aims to provide a platform where they can meet and discuss matters with a view to involving them in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Created by and for young people, it will act as a hub for various organisations and actors to give young people a voice, allowing them to reflect on and debate our planet’s climatic future. The young people’s area also aims to encourage dialogue and build bridges between actors in the civil society and private sector zones and those in the blue zone.

The climate trophies initiatives aim to enhance the projects combating climate change in French-speaking Africa through a competition and a range of projects, reports, side events and networking activities for actors on this issue. In Africa, innovative concepts for mitigating and adapting to climate change are produced by municipal authorities, civil society organisations and green entrepreneurs. The COP22 presents an outstanding opportunity to share such ideas. In this spirit, the 30 winners and nominees of the climate trophies initiatives have been invited to take part in this event. Three of them will be offered financial support by Switzerland in 2017 with a view to potentially reproducing them on an appropriate scale.

The climate trophies initiatives are supported by Switzerland in cooperation with its partners – the advisory agencies on sustainable development, AlliaDEV and Igapura – and with the backing of other organisations, notably the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the UNDP, UN Women, the EU, the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and the Global Environment Facility.

Switzerland is contributing around MAD 6 million (approx. CHF 600,000) to the second pillar.

Third pillar: Swiss companies and their innovations will be present

The goal of limiting global warming to two degrees cannot be achieved without the involvement of the private sector, as innovation is a major factor. The interest of Swiss companies is reflected in their efforts to participate in COP22. One of them, ABB, is an official partner of COP22 and the company has also been invited into the blue zone by the COP22 organisers.