Information on national adaptation actions reported under the Governance Regulation
Reporting updated until: 2023-08-04
Item | Status | Links |
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Climate Law (including adaptation) |
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National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) |
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National Adaptation Plan (NAP) |
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Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) |
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Meteorological observations |
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Climate projections and services |
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Adaptation portals and platforms |
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Monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE) indicators and methodologies |
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Key reports and publications |
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National communication to the UNFCCC | ||
Governance regulation adaptation reporting |
With the Alps acting as climatic divide, meteorological conditions such as average temperature and precipitation vary significantly across Switzerland. Variable winter temperatures are an important factor influencing energy consumption for heating and leave a strong imprint on annual CO2 emissions. Long-term measurements indicate a marked shift towards a warmer climate (increase of the mean temperature by more than two degrees Celsius between 1864 and 2020, i.e. about twice the increase of the global mean temperature). Changes in mean precipitation are less clear, although there are robust indications for an increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation. Various climate indices document the ongoing climate change in Switzerland. For instance, over the Central Plateau, the average number of summer days has more than doubled over the last 60 years, the number of heating degree days has decreased by about 15 to 20 per cent in the same time period, the number of snow days has decreased and the number of sunny days has increased.
The next generation of climate scenarios (CH2025) is planned for 2025.
The primary cause of global climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas emission concentrations caused by human activity since industrialisation. In order to be able to calculate future changes in temperature, precipitation and other parameters, assumptions must be made about future global greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, so-called emission scenarios are defined on the basis of a number of assumptions about population growth, possible technological advancements and global political decisions. Climate change scenarios can therefore not be considered as predictions. Rather, they indicate the possible consequences for the climate if the greenhouse gas emissions rise unchecked or are, on the other hand, reduced.
In eight case studies in the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Stadt, Fribourg, Geneva, Graubünden, Jura, Ticino and Uri, what consequences can be expected if the global rise in greenhouse gas emissions over the next few decades continues to the same extent as before were examined. The results were transposed to the six major regions of the Jura, Swiss Plateau, Foothills of the Alps, Alps, South of the Alps as well as the large urban zones.
The case studies were supplemented with further findings from scientific literature as well as additional expert knowledge. On this basis, the priority climate-related risks and opportunities for our country could be determined. This will allow the Confederation, cantons and municipalities to set priorities for their adaptation activities and make adaptation to climate change in Switzerland targeted and effective.
Currently, the climate risk analysis for Switzerland is in the process of being reevaluated and updated.
Hazard type | Acute/Chronic | Observed climate hazards |
---|---|---|
Water | Acute | Drought |
Flood | ||
Glacial lake outburst | ||
Heavy precipitation | ||
Snow and ice load | ||
Chronic | Precipitation hydrological variability | |
Water scarcity | ||
Solid mass | Acute | Avalanche |
Landslide | ||
Chronic | Soil erosion | |
Temperature | Acute | Cold wave frost |
Heat wave | ||
Wildfire | ||
Chronic | Changing temperature | |
Permafrost thawing | ||
Wind | Acute | Storm |
Chronic |
Hazard type | Acute/Chronic | Future climate hazards | Qualitative trend |
---|---|---|---|
Water | Acute | Drought | significantly increasing |
Flood | significantly increasing | ||
Glacial lake outburst Future | evolution uncertain or unknown | ||
Heavy precipitation | significantly increasing | ||
Snow and ice load | evolution uncertain or unknown | ||
Chronic | Precipitation hydrological variability | significantly increasing | |
Water scarcity | significantly increasing | ||
Solid mass | Acute | Avalanche Future | evolution uncertain or unknown |
Landslide Future | significantly increasing | ||
Chronic | Soil erosion | significantly increasing | |
Temperature | Acute | Cold wave frost | evolution uncertain or unknown |
Heat wave | significantly increasing | ||
Wildfire | significantly increasing | ||
Chronic | Changing temperature | significantly increasing | |
Permafrost thawing | significantly increasing | ||
Wind | Acute | Storm | evolution uncertain or unknown |
Chronic | |||
A synthesis for Switzerland – short version
The brochure is the short version of the synthesis which identifies and prioritises climate-related risks and opportunities for Switzerland until 2060. The results from eight regional case studies conducted with the participation of numerous experts from science, industry and administration have been merged into a Switzerland-wide synthesis and supplemented. On the one hand, they serve the review and further development of the Confederation’s adaptation strategy. On the other hand, the cantons and regions can use the results, along with the methodology used, to develop their own strategy and adaptation planning.
A synthesis for Switzerland – short version
The brochure is the short version of the synthesis which identifies and prioritises climate-related risks and opportunities for Switzerland until 2060. The results from eight regional case studies conducted with the participation of numerous experts from science, industry and administration have been merged into a Switzerland-wide synthesis and supplemented. On the one hand, they serve the review and further development of the Confederation’s adaptation strategy. On the other hand, the cantons and regions can use the results, along with the methodology used, to develop their own strategy and adaptation planning.
Key affected sectors
Key affected sector(s) | agriculture and food; biodiversity (including ecosystembased approaches); buildings; civil protection and emergency management; energy; forestry; health; land use planning; rural development; tourism; urban; water management |
Rating of the observed impacts of key hazards, including changes in frequency and magnitude | high |
Different rating of the observed impacts of key hazards | different geographical regions within the country |
Assessment | More information can be found at https://www.nccs.admin.ch/nccs/de/home/sektoren.html |
Rating of the key hazards' likelihood of occurrence and exposure to them under future climate | high |
Different rating of the likelihood of the occurrence of key hazards and exposure to them under future climate | different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards |
Rating of the vulnerability, including adaptive capacity | high |
Different rating of the vulnerability and/or adaptive capacity | different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards |
Assessment | More information can be found at https://www.nccs.admin.ch/nccs/de/home/sektoren.html |
Rating for the risk of potential future impacts | high |
Different rating of the risk of potential future impacts | different climate change scenarios; different geographical regions within the country; different key hazards |
Assessment | More information can be found at https://www.nccs.admin.ch/nccs/de/home/sektoren.html |
Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the national level
With the 2012 Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Switzerland, the Federal Council created a framework for a coordinated approach to adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The strategy contains the goals for adaptation, describes the greatest challenges and prioritises the fields of action for adaptation at federal level. A first action plan was adopted for the periode 2014-2019 by federal council. It included 63 adaptation measures. Currently, the second action plan regulates the implementation in the years 2020-2025. The Action Plan 2020-2025 comprises 75 measures at federal level. 63 of these measures are activities in the sectors of water management, dealing with natural hazards, soil protection, agriculture, forestry, energy, housing, tourism, biodiversity management, health (human and animal) and spatial development. 12 measures are cross-sectoral in nature. They aim to improve the knowledge base, transfer knowledge, coordinate and promote the implementation of the adaptation strategy.
In a referendum vote on 18 June 2023, the Swiss voting polulation approved a new climate law (Bundesgesetz über die Ziele im Klimaschutz, die Innovation und die Stärkung der Energiesicherheit). With the entry into force of the new law on 01.01.2025, the legal mandate for adaptation in Switzerland will be strengthened: the Confederation and the cantons will receive the mandate to take measures to protect against and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change within the scope of their competences.
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/analysis-implementation-impact.html
A number of datasets of the CH2018 scenarios are available for use in impact research and practical applications. The CH2018 szenario data are provided under the CC BY 4.0 license.
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/n[…]narios-for-switzerland.html
The more global climate change progresses, the stronger its regional impacts will become and the greater the need for local adaptation. In the medium term, it is therefore necessary to examine how the increasing demand for resources can be financed with an appropriate application of the available funds.
In the future, additions at the legislative or ordinance level should be considered with the aim of better integrating adaptation to climate change into sector policies at all level. Furtheremore, in order to support the implementation of the adaptation strategy at all levels, it should be examined how the exchange and cooperation of all actors concerned (Confederation, cantons, communes, science, economy) can be improved and how appropriate funding mechanisms can be developed in the coming years.
The pilot programme 'Adaptation to climate change' has been running since 2013. An initial phase involving 31 projects was successfully completed in 2017. The second phase, comprising a total of 50 projects, was successfully completed in 2023.
More information can be found at
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/pilotprogramm.html
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/nccs/en/home/measures/pak.html
In the NCCS programme «Decision Support for Dealing with Climate Change in Switzerland: a cross-sectoral approach» («NCCS-Impacts»), actionable climate services for the environment, economy and society will be developed from 2022 to 2025.
See https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/nccs-impacts.html for more information.
Selection of actions and (programmes of) measures
The cantons are by law (revised CO2 act, Article 8) obliged to report to government on adaptation activities. The first reporting based on a survey took place in 2015. The second reporting took place in 2022.
The main objective of these evaluations is learning from experiences in order to further develop adaptation in Switzerland.
Good practices and lessons learnt
Cooperation and experience
Overview of institutional arrangements and governance at the sub-national level (where “sub-national” refers to local and regional)
Overview cantonal adaptation strategies and reports:
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
In the NCCS programme «Decision Support for Dealing with Climate Change in Switzerland: a cross-sectoral approach» («NCCS-Impacts»), actionable climate services for the environment, economy and society will be developed from 2022 to 2025.
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.nccs.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/[…]/kantone.html