The Geneva Council of State adopted a new climate bill on Wednesday. The text is the result of a compromise involving certain economic circles, environmental associations and unions.
This involves anchoring the cantonal climate plan in law, State Councilor Antonio Hodgers, in charge of the Territorial Department, explained to the media. The objective remains to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The new version of the climate bill follows the refusal of a first version by the environment and agriculture committee of the Grand Council .
One of the notable changes concerns professional transport. The latter is excluded from the objective of reducing motorized traffic by 40%. The goal must be achieved by acting on private transport. The Geneva section of ASTAG (Swiss Road Transport Association) welcomes this measure.
Andrea Genecand, its president, recalls that transport companies ensure the canton’s supplies. The new law recognizes the importance of this activity, which is vital for the population and economic prosperity. Transporters will be able to continue to work under “acceptable conditions”.
“An absolute minimum”
On the side of environmental associations, we insist on the need to stick to the objectives contained in the new bill. “It’s an absolute minimum,” notes Thibault Schneeberger, French-speaking coordinator of Actif-Trafic. The Grand Council must not reduce the scope of this text, hopes, for his part, the head of the Geneva section of the WWF Jean-Pascal Gillig.
For Antonio Hodgers, this climate law is fundamental, because it is “important to give a permanent mission to the State” in this area. Geneva sets “classic” objectives for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, modeled on federal objectives.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
Swiss
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