According to a comprehensive policy review conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Switzerland's ambitious climate and energy goals for 2030 and beyond depend on accelerating the development and deployment of renewable energy while moving away from nuclear power. The survey results of the International Energy Agency emphasize Switzerland's commendable commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% by the end of 2030 and achieve a net zero emission target by 2050. The Swiss government has enacted new legislation and revised existing laws to accelerate the achievement of its climate goals. However, Switzerland's construction and transportation industry organizations still need to make significant efforts, as these industries have not yet achieved their 2020 emission reduction targets.

The International Energy Agency has conducted its first review since 2018, recognizing Switzerland's progress in energy transformation through the revision of its Energy Law. It is worth noting that the Swiss government has designated new hydroelectric facilities and wind power projects as national interest projects. The International Energy Agency proposes to extend this legal status to all renewable energy power generation facilities and grids to incentivize investment in new production capacity.



One of the main challenges hindering renewable energy projects and grid expansion in Switzerland is the lengthy legal process, which may delay proposals for decades. The administrative bottlenecks that hinder the planning and deployment of renewable energy power generation facilities pose a threat to the 2030 climate goals and energy supply security. After the 2017 referendum, Switzerland plans to gradually phase out nuclear power from its electricity structure, which may increase its dependence on imported energy until a large number of low emission renewable energy generation facilities are put into operation.



Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, expressed appreciation for Switzerland's efforts in the face of the global energy crisis. Warlick commented at a report press conference in Bern, together with Swiss Federal Parliament member and Minister of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) Albert R ö sti, Switzerland's efforts to contain the impact of the global energy crisis while making progress towards achieving the net zero target are commendable measures. The phasing out of nuclear power and strengthening the electrification of the energy system will pose challenges. Switzerland must ensure that more renewable energy power generation facilities can be put into operation in a timely and orderly manner to break away from dependence on electricity imports and continue to achieve its long-term decarbonization goals as planned



The International Energy Agency outlined several key recommendations in its report to assist in the development of the Swiss energy industry. Swiss federal and local authorities should simplify the lengthy licensing and approval procedures for key infrastructure projects, including hydropower facilities, wind power generation, and photovoltaic systems. We also encourage the coordination of recognition procedures between Swiss cantons and the strengthening of spatial planning for projects and infrastructure.



Other suggestions include preparing climate legislation for the post 2030 era, prioritizing energy efficiency measures, accelerating the digitization process, and aligning electricity market regulations with EU regulations. The EU urges Switzerland to establish a basic regulatory system for the natural gas market and establish an independent natural gas regulatory agency to align its energy market with the EU's internal energy market.



Energy efficiency is a key pillar of Switzerland's strategy to achieve the 2030 climate target. The country has a good record of decoupling economic growth from energy consumption, exceeding the per capita level mentioned in the International Energy Agency report. Despite this achievement, Switzerland's key sectors have failed to achieve their goals, highlighting the need for strong energy efficiency measures. The International Energy Agency's assessment report emphasizes the importance of making energy efficiency a "priority fuel" in all new energy and climate legislation. Given the dispersed energy related powers in each state, close cooperation between the Swiss federal and regional governments is required.