Proposals to enhance biodiversity protections and reform pensions were rejected by Swiss voters in dual referendums on Sunday, according to projected results.
Despite Switzerland’s reputation for pristine natural landscapes, concerns have been raised by environmentalists about its endangered ecosystems, prompting a call for broader biodiversity protections from the voters.
However, the proposal failed to gain support, as per projections released by polling institute gfs.bern after the closure of the Sunday morning polls, aligning with earlier opinion polls.
Voters also turned down a proposed reform of Switzerland’s pension system financing, criticized by unions as a “scam”, according to the projections.
The initial proposal, titled “For the future of our nature and our landscape”, was backed by various environmental protection organizations, including Pro Natura and BirdLife.
They highlighted the decline in Switzerland’s biodiversity.
“Switzerland exhibits a high level of threatened species and environments compared to other European countries in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation)”, stated Sarah Pearson Perret, a director at Pro Natura, referring to a report by the European Environmental Agency.
The study published in 2020 reveals that Switzerland has a lower percentage of protected zones compared to other European countries.
However, only 37 percent of voters supported the proposal on Sunday, according to the institute.
– Investment in Biodiversity –
Switzerland’s federal government currently allocates approximately 600 million Swiss francs ($700 million) annually towards biodiversity preservation.
The organizations behind the referendum argued that this amount is insufficient.
While they did not specify the exact additional funding required, they urged voters to approve an increase in the biodiversity budget and the expansion of protected areas.
An important biodiversity agreement reached in Montreal in 2022 aimed for at least 30% of the planet’s lands and oceans to be protected by 2030.
However, Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) reported that only 13.4% of the country’s territory is dedicated to biodiversity conservation.
The FOEN admits that Swiss biodiversity protection is lacking, with half of natural environments and a third of natural spaces at risk.
Both the government and parliament opposed the proposal, arguing that Switzerland is already taking sufficient measures and warning of potential adverse effects on the economy, agriculture, construction, and energy production.
– Pension Reform Proposal –
Swiss voters also rejected a government-proposed reform of pension financing, with only 31% of voters in favor, as per the projections.
Swiss pensions are structured in three pillars: basic state pension, compulsory pension funds funded by employers and employees, and voluntary contributions to private funds and investments.
The government highlighted underfunding in the second pillar due to low financial returns and increasing life expectancy.
The proposed reform sought higher contributions from employers and workers into mandatory occupational funds.
Opponents, including unions who demanded the referendum, criticized the reform for increasing contributions while reducing pension payments, labeling it a “scam”.
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