Swiss government approves new climate goals after court rebuke

Switzerland's government on Wednesday approved new climate targets, proposing a cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 of at least 65% compared to 1990 levels.

Switzerland's efforts to counteract global warming came under close scrutiny last year when a top European court ruled that the country was not doing enough to tackle climate change.

The government said in a statement that the new objectives, set out under its commitments to the Paris Agreement, are to be primarily achieved via domestic measures.

"By 2035, Switzerland should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65 per cent compared to 1990 levels, and by 59 per cent on average between 2031 and 2035," it said.

Switzerland had previously committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 from 1990 levels.

The Swiss cabinet said it had adopted an amendment to its long-term climate strategy and would submit its new plans to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change by Feb. 10.

In that submission, Switzerland reports on the role of renewable energies and nuclear energy in achieving climate neutrality, the cabinet added.