2007: Foundation of Biofuels Switzerland, SKR projects bioethanol + biodiesel
2008: Tax relief for biofuels
2008 to 2012: 1st crediting period
1.1.2013: CO₂ Act enters into force / KliK Foundation established
2014 to 2020: 2nd crediting period
2018: Parliament sinks total revision of CO₂ Act
2021 to 2030: 3rd crediting period
2021: People reject total revision of CO₂ Act
2021: Parliament extends existing measures until 31.12.2024
From 2022: Revision of the existing CO₂ Act
Within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement, Switzerland has committed itself to reducing CO₂ emissions by 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Parliament is having a hard time with the revision of the CO₂ Act. After the popular "no" to the total revision of the CO₂ Act in June 2021, a moderate revision is now up for discussion. Incentives instead of new taxes and levies are the premise. If parliament sticks to the Federal Council's timetable, the revised law will enter into force on 1 January 2025.
The revised CO₂ Act provides for a transfer obligation for renewable fuels for fuel importers, comparable to the blending obligation in the EU states. The Federal Council is given the authority to set the share of renewable fuels at 5 to 10 percent, measured against CO₂ emissions. In addition, there is the existing compensation obligation, which the Federal Council can set at between 5 and 90 percent.
With the revised CO₂ Act, Switzerland is aligning itself with the European standard in terms of the social and ecological criteria for sustainable renewable fuels. Thus, fuel importers will in future have the choice between tax-exempt renewable fuels according to the previous criteria (Swiss Finish) or mass-balanced renewable fuels without tax relief according to the European standard.
Biofuels Switzerland
Swiss Biofuels Association
Bahnhofstrasse 9
CH-4450 Sissach