Page 53 - Ebook HTKH 2024

Table 1. Eco-innovation policy instruments of Switzerland
National Sustainability ■ Sustainable Development Strategy 2012-2015
plan and ■ National Biodiversity Strategy 2011
strategy ■ Green Economy Action Plan 2013
Eco-innovation ■ Swiss Cleantech Masterplan (SCMP) 2012-2014

■ Energy Strategy 2050
Programme National ■ 1996 Swiss Planning Policy Guidelines
and actions ■ The Swiss Energy Program 2001
■ Sustainable Public Procurement 2010
■ The Action Plan Wood
■ The commission for technology and innovation
(CTI)

■ the SME handbook on work and family
■ Green Economy Program 2010
■ The Strategy on Air Quality Management 2009
Legislation CO2 Act 2000
Source: 2015 ASEM Eco-Innovation Index, page 74

According to the plan, Switzerland first set up a national plan and strategy for
Sustainability and Eco-innovation. The first four-year period was to set up a
Sustainable Development Strategy, National Biodiversity Strategy, and Green
Economy Action Plan. Cleantech and Energy are two strategic aims that specialists
focus on, especially energy, which has a long-orientation until 2050. After careful
strategies, the plan goes on with specific programs and actions such as Planning Policy
Guidelines, Energy Program (in 2001), Sustainable Public Procurement (in 2010), The

Action Plan Wood, the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI), the SME
handbook on work and family, Green Economy Program (in 2010) and The Strategy on
Air Quality Management (in 2009). All the plans and programs are legalized in the CO2
Act 2000. These laws are guidelines for authorities and citizens to follow and
help the ‘green economy’ come to life.
Citizens are involved in the decision-making process.
Switzerland has a very old democratic tradition - petitioning. In particular, to create
a new law, there must be 100,000 put to vote, and 50,000 valid signatures are required

to approve or reject an existing one. And the decision to go green in this country was
decided by this tradition. On September 25, 2016, after finishing the action plan,
Switzerland held a petition for the popular initiative ‘For a sustainable and resource-
efficient economy (Green Economy).’ Swiss voters decided on whether they would
agree with the initiative or not. Their acceptance of the initiative has meant that all the
confederations, cantons, and communes guarantee to use natural resources from home
and abroad efficiently and do minimal harm to the environment. Raw resources must be

used carefully, and trash must be minimized. Waste should be recycled and reused as
raw materials in the economic cycle.

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