On February 9, Swiss citizens will be voting on the first round of national referendums in 2025. Here’s a rundown of the Environmental Responsibility Initiative, what it would change and arguments for and against the proposal.

The Environmental Responsibility Initiative in Switzerland explained

Unlike the previous round of votes in November 2024, the Swiss government has only selected one national referendum for the round on February 8. In this case, the Environmental Responsibility Initiative will be the only proposal on the ballot nationwide, a popular initiative from the youth wing of the Green Party.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposal:

What is the Swiss Environmental Responsibility Initiative?

The Environmental Responsibility Initiative aims to significantly reduce the amount of goods and resources used in Switzerland. The proposal argues that while the alpine nation consumes fewer resources and produces less CO2 per capita than 20 years ago, the country still uses an unsustainable amount of resources to maintain its economy and living standards.

Therefore, the proposal demands that the economy does not "consume more resources and release more pollutants than the renewability of nature allows.” If approved, the Swiss government would set a hard target of 10 years to achieve the goal, which would require the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent, its biodiversity loss by 75 percent and its nitrogen use by half.

How would the government achieve the referendum's goals?

Interestingly, the proposal leaves it up to the government and Swiss cantons to decide how to achieve the goals. However, the Young Greens wrote in a statement that this would likely involve new taxes, bans and regulations to coax and in some cases force businesses and the public to adhere to the climate objectives.

The referendum committee itself accepts that if approved, the plan would require “a fundamental change in the economy. Away from the profit-seeking of large corporations and towards an economy that focuses on the well-being of people and the environment.”

They called for all changes to be made in a “socially acceptable” manner, where companies and the wealthy foot the bill for higher prices for food, housing, and transport during the green transition. If approved, Switzerland would have the strictest environmental rules and regulations in Europe (and likely the world), and would lead to the country achieving net zero up to 15 years ahead of schedule.

What are the arguments for the Environmental Responsibility Initiative?

In arguing for the initiative, the Young Greens said that it was “self-evident” that the reforms had to be enacted to “preserve the basis of human life.” With Switzerland experiencing the three hottest years in recorded history in 2022, 2023 and 2024, they argued that swift action needed to be taken as soon as possible to prevent environmental collapse.

They concluded that the proposal would make the Swiss economy the most sustainable on the planet. “The initiative aims to bring about a change in the economy and society so that the well-being and health of people are the focus,” they concluded.

What are the views against it?

In arguing against the proposal, the Federal Council wrote that while “natural resources must be protected”, the Environmental Responsibility Initiative “goes too far.” They argued that if accepted, the government would “be required to quickly restrict consumption with far-reaching regulations, bans, incentives and other measures”, changing “the way we live, eat, travel, and spend our free time and holidays.”

“We would have to forego many things that are part of the standard of living we are used to in Switzerland,” the executive added. Concerns were also raised about how the proposal would impact living standards, with the council arguing that it would be “impossible” to make the changes without severely impacting those on lower incomes.

Finally, they argued that 10 years is not long enough for parliament to create and pass the legislation needed to make the proposal’s goals a reality. They concluded that the government already has “balanced” legislation to make net zero a reality, albeit on a longer timeframe.

What are the chances of the vote passing?

Despite the support of the Social Democratic, Green, Evangelical People’s and Alternative List parties, recent polls show that the Environmental Responsibility Initiative faces an uphill battle. The latest polling from gfs.bern shows that 49 percent of citizens are against the idea, while 45 percent are in favour.