Voting choice Projection: 70 percent no to the environmental responsibility initiative
Switzerland does not have to restrict its economy and consumption in such a way that it does not overexploit the planet's resources. According to a projection by gfs.bern on behalf of SRG, voters rejected the environmental responsibility initiative by 70%.
09.02.2025, 12:05
09.02.2025, 12:37
SDA
The initiative was rejected in all five cantons counted. Urs Bieri, political scientist at gfs.bern, said on SRF radio that the initiators had succeeded in winning over the left-green electorate. This is shown by the 30 percent "yes" vote. Other issues than the climate are currently dominating.
The clear "no" was to be expected. In the last surveys commissioned by SRG, Tamedia and "20 Minuten", over 60 percent of respondents rejected the initiative launched by the Young Greens. And as is usual with initiatives, the "no" camp had become larger compared to previous surveys.
Restructuring should take place within ten years
The initiative "for a responsible economy within planetary boundaries (environmental responsibility initiative)" aimed to preserve and protect the foundations of life. Only as many resources should be used for economic activities and consumption in Switzerland as nature itself can replace. This would have required a radical change in the economy.
Everyday life would also have been affected: The federal government and cantons would have had to ensure that the environmental impact of consumption and economic activities no longer exceeded the planetary boundaries corresponding to Switzerland's global population share. This should have been achieved within ten years.
Opponents warn of impoverishment
The opposing bourgeois parties as well as the Federal Council and Parliament prevailed in the referendum campaign. They criticized the proposal as utopian, nonsensical and irresponsible and spoke of an "impoverishment initiative". The tenor was that a yes vote would cause prices to explode and harm prosperity.
According to the opponents, far-reaching regulations and bans would have been needed to achieve the required changeover. This could have endangered the business location. Instead, the already decided path to fewer greenhouse gases and more environmental protection should be pursued.
Initiative committee sees "no other choice"
Alongside the Young Greens, the SP and the Greens are on the losing side. They argued that the climate crisis is a topical issue and "business as usual" is not an option, recalling the repeated severe storms in Switzerland last year. The consequences of the overuse of natural resources are already being felt today.
"In view of the escalating environmental crises, we as the Young Party had no choice but to launch this initiative," said Magdalena Erni, Co-President of the Young Greens, at the launch of the referendum campaign.
The initiative was also supported by environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, Pro Natura and Bird Life Switzerland, as well as the climate strike movement, Uniterre and the small farmers' association. A scientific support committee also backed the initiative.
