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The Federal Council wants more space to protect biodiversity

The Federal Council wants more space to protect biodiversity

Roofs to protect biodiversity must account for 17% of Swiss territory, a target that must be set by law (the archives). Keystone/Military Trezzini sda-ats

This content was published on Mar 04, 2022 – 12:23

(Keystone-ATS)

The proportion of land reserved for biodiversity protection purposes should decrease from 13.4% to 17%. The Federal Council on Friday adopted the indirect counter-project to a biodiversity initiative that it considers too radical.

For the Federal Council, it is clear that biodiversity and landscapes must be better protected and promoted. However, he believes that the initiative goes too far, as it will limit the maneuvering space of the union and the cantons too much. Seeing the need for action, the Federal Council decided to oppose it with an indirect counter-proposal which it submitted to Parliament.

The Federal Council wants to create enough interconnected protection areas to ensure habitats for plants and animals. The bill stipulates that 17% of the land will be protected areas. Currently, this share is 13.4%. This target is already included in the 2012 Swiss Biodiversity Strategy.

But by enshrining it in law, the government gives it more weight. The counter-proposal aims to oblige the Federation and the cantons to develop, secure and maintain environmental infrastructure.

Complete, enlarge, cleanse

This goal can be achieved, for example, by supplementing the list of neighborhoods of regional and local importance and by expanding their area or by continuing to expand forest reserves. It also includes addressing existing national protection areas when necessary.

Roofs that are part of the ecological infrastructure must be connected in order to allow the species to move freely. These areas include waterways that are close to their natural state, forest edges, green spaces of high environmental value located along transportation infrastructures, as well as wildlife corridors and frog channels.

In the city too

The counterproject also aims to enhance biodiversity in the urban environment. Actions aimed at creating more green spaces and water bodies close to the natural state or green roofs and facades, should be encouraged, in cooperation with the cantons.

Finally, the Federal Council wishes to enhance the quality and attractiveness of Swiss urban areas and landscapes. The goal is to combine the protection and preservation of natural heritage with the development of buildings. Thus the project aims to encourage a culture of good building. Strengthening cooperation with the cantons.

A very ambitious initiative

The Federal Council rejects the popular initiative “For the future of our nature and our landscapes” (commonly known as the Biodiversity Initiative). The text proposes to include in the constitution better protection of nature, the landscape and the built heritage. The government notes that it imposes excessive restrictions on the union and the cantons.

Implementation of the initiative, for example, will lead to a significant conflict of objectives with energy and agricultural policies. Some protected sites must remain intact. For the Federal Council, this requirement is very restrictive.

The Federal Council estimates 96 million francs annually the additional federal resources needed to implement the indirect counterproposal. The additional expenditures for the cantons will be in the order of 90 million francs per year. An additional center will have to be created, about 100 for the cantons and 25 for the communes.

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