Switzerland: environment

What are Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions?

Switzerland emitted 40.1 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent in 2024, about half a million tonnes less than in 2023, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) greenhouse gas inventory. Emissions from buildings, industry, transport and other sectors were 27.3% below 1990.

Buildings emitted about 8.8 million tonnes, 47% below 1990, which the FOEN links mainly to the rise in heat pumps; industry emitted 8.9 million tonnes, about 33% below 1990. Including the land-use balance, emissions were 22.3% below 1990. The inventory counts emissions on Swiss territory, as required under the Paris Agreement, and is submitted to the UN climate secretariat.

Official sources: Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) greenhouse gas inventory

Where does Switzerland's electricity come from?

Switzerland's power plants produced 67.5 billion kWh in 2025, 16.7% less than in 2024, according to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) electricity statistics. Hydropower produced 37.5 billion kWh, nuclear 18.4 billion and solar 7.9 billion, so hydropower supplied over half and nuclear over a quarter.

Hydropower output fell 22.5% and nuclear 20.0% on 2024, while solar output rose 33.3%. Final electricity consumption was 58.0 billion kWh, 0.8% more than in 2024. Hydropower output depends on rainfall and snowmelt, so it varies from year to year. The physical import surplus was small, at 0.021 billion kWh.

Official sources: Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) electricity statistics

What are Switzerland's CO2 emissions per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Switzerland was 3.7 tonnes in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Switzerland placed 35th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 68th highest.

What are Switzerland's emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland was 43.0 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. The peak was 55.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005 and the low 42.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. Europe & Central Asia median: 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Switzerland is 28th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 87th of 186.

How much of Switzerland's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Switzerland at 27.7% in 2021. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Switzerland placed 17th highest of 50. Worldwide: 85th of 191.

How much of Switzerland is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 32.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 29th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. World rank, highest first: 99th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Switzerland?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Switzerland was 8.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 42nd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 167th of 192.

What share of Switzerland is protected land?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 12.5%. The peak was 24.8% in 2013 and the low 9.7% in 2014. It is 43rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. Worldwide: 136th of 192.

Is Switzerland short of water?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 6.5%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Switzerland is 31st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 107th of 175.