Do the people of Valais want a more ambitious climate law than that of the Confederation? We will know at the end of the cantonal vote on November 24. This text is based on the observation that as an Alpine canton, Valais is particularly affected by climate change. Melting glaciers, lack of snow in winter, heatwaves and droughts are notably mentioned among the effects already felt by this change.
To combat these repercussions, the cantonal climate law therefore provides for the canton to achieve carbon neutrality in 2040. A more audacious goal than that of the Confederation, which is aiming for 2050. In the event of a yes vote at the ballot boxes, a plan climate would therefore be developed, notably involving measures to support individuals, municipalities and businesses in their adaptation to climate change. However, these measures would not be binding. Neither ban nor additional taxes would therefore result directly from the law, which would be financed by the state budget and a “climate reserve” of 100 million francs provided for in the text.
Initially largely adopted by the Grand Council in 2023, the climate law was the subject of a referendum, hence the appeal to the people on November 24. The UDC and Le Center Haut Valais are the only two parties to formally oppose the text. According to the former, this amounts to “collective punishment which will make life more expensive for everyone”. The Center du Haut, for its part, speaks of “an overly ambitious law which will entail enormous costs without really protecting the climate”.
All other parties recommend voting yes. In a joint press release, they particularly welcomed “a balanced law which gives additional means to the population and stakeholders of the canton to adapt to the effects of climate change”.
