
Federal Council plans next expansion of transport infrastructure
The Federal Council has instructed the responsible federal department to draw up a plan for the next stage in the expansion of the transport infrastructure. This is based on a report by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), which defines priority

Electricity agreement with the EU triggers opening of the electricity market
The planned electricity agreement with the EU will also lead to an opening of the electricity market for consumers. In future, they will be free to choose their supplier or remain in the basic supply. The Federal Council's key points also provide for consumer protection

Canton of Zurich calls on Federal Council to act
The housing shortage is worsening, especially in urban centres such as the canton of Zurich. Complex authorisation procedures, delays due to objections and new legal hurdles such as the ISOS inventory are blocking urgently needed residential construction projects. The Zurich cantonal government is

Federal Council imposes limits on buildings outside building zones
The federal government wants to stabilise development outside of building zones with a partial revision of the Spatial Planning Act. The Federal Council has submitted a draft for consultation. The draft will allow new buildings up to a maximum of 1 per cent of the 2023

Federal Council supports price recommendations for Swiss timber
In its meeting, the Federal Council commented on the report by the Council of States' Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning, and Energy and supported the parliamentary initiative "Price Recommendations for Wood from Swiss Forests." This initiative, introduced by Councilor Daniel Fässler

Federal Council amends four key ordinances in the renovation and recycling process
On 31 May 2024, the Swiss Federal Council approved significant amendments to four important environmental ordinances in order to strengthen environmental protection and improve the efficiency of remediation and recycling processes. The amendments concern the Contaminated Sites Ordinance, the

Federal Council supports restriction of the right of appeal for associations
The Federal Council's statement on the proposals of the National Council's Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (UREK-N) marks a step towards restricting the right of environmental organisations to lodge complaints about smaller residential buildings within the building zone.

Federal Council requests 218.1 million for civil federal buildings
At its meeting on 17 May 2023, the Federal Council adopted the Real Estate Dispatch 2023. In it, it proposes commitment credits of CHF 218.1 million to parliament. The largest construction projects include two expansion projects and a new building for the Swiss representation in

Merger of Credit Suisse and UBS
Credit Suisse and UBS entered into a merger agreement on Sunday following intervention by the Federal Department of Finance, the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Upon completion of the transaction, UBS will be the continuing entity. Under the terms

Federal Council wants to further strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss SMEs and regions
The Federal Council wants to focus even more on Swiss SMEs and the regions in the context of location promotion. In addition, the topics of "sustainable development" and "digitalisation" are to be upgraded. On 25 January 2023, the Federal Council approved the corresponding dispatch for the years

Housing shortage: Federal Council waits
The Federal Council is observing the situation on the housing market with concern, but does not want to take any action for the time being. It is prepared, if necessary, to evaluate further measures if Parliament so wishes. This is the Federal Council's response to various requests on the current

The federal government wants to develop a concept for energy-efficient measures in buildings
Eine Motion aus der LDP fordert den Bundesrat zur Erarbeitung eines Umsetzungskonzepts für energieeffiziente Massnahmen bei Gebäuden auf. Sie wurde nach Annahme im Nationalrat auch vom Ständerat mit einer Änderung angenommen. Nun ist erneut der Nationalrat am Zug.

The federal government wants to strengthen Switzerland as a location for start-ups
Der Bundesrat will den Start-up-Standort Schweiz weiter stärken. Er will etwa Massnahmen in Bezug auf Technologietransfer und Internationalisierung prüfen lassen. Es soll auch untersucht werden, ob ein Schweizer Innovationsfonds sinnvoll

Federal government specifies requirements for wind energy
Bern – Der Bundesrat hat sein Konzept Windenergie angepasst. Für die Ausweisung von Gebieten, die sich nach Ansicht des Bundes für die Nutzung von Windenergie eignen, werden Nutzungs- und Schutzinteressen abgewogen. Die Kompetenz für die Festlegung der Gebiete verbleibt bei den


Axpo President calls for a sliding market premium
Baden AG/Zürich – Die Förderung der erneuerbaren Energien läuft falsch, sagen Thomas Sieber von Axpo und Gianni Operto von AEE Suisse in einem Medienbeitrag. Investitionen in Schweizer Produktionskapazitäten würden deshalb auf sich warten lassen. Sie fordern deshalb die gleitende




