Climate change mitigation - Drivers and pressures (Switzerland)

In 2007, transport-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) amounted to 16.3 million tonnes, or 32 % of total CO₂ emissions in Switzerland (FOEN, 2009b). Emissions from the transport sector have increased by 11 % since 1990, with fluctuations reflecting economic development. Road traffic is responsible for 97 % of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions (excluding international air traffic). Around 70 % of these emissions stem from cars. Specific emissions per kilometer were reduced substantially due to technological developments, however, this improvement was offset by an increase in traffic volumes.

Apart from transport-related emissions, households are responsible for 20 % of all greenhouse gas emissions, which result largely from the combustion of heating oil. Since 1990, annual CO₂ emissions from Swiss households have remained quite stable at around 12 million tonnes per year. However, emissions are strongly anti-correlated with winter temperatures.

Agriculture contributes approximately 10 % to the total national greenhouse gas emissions;most of the emissions are related to animal husbandry (CH₄), manure management (N₂O) and agricultural soil emissions (N₂O).

Relative emission trends in the energy sector