Published on 1 February 2026

Climate and the environment

The FDFA determines and coordinates a coherent foreign policy on the environment for Switzerland, working closely with national and international actors.

Climate, environment, health, science, space and the Arctic – in these areas as well, the FDFA safeguards Switzerland’s foreign policy interests. — © FDFA

Without joint international efforts, it will be impossible to tackle key environmental challenges and their impact on human security, whether this relates to the effects of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, or plastic waste and other forms of environmental pollution. As a landlocked country with strong international economic ties, Switzerland is particularly affected by cross-border and global environmental problems. Its commitment to global environmental policy is therefore a means of preserving and securing the livelihoods of its citizens in the long term, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

International cooperation

Switzerland is actively involved in developing and implementing international agreements on bilateral, European and global cooperation in areas such as climate protection, biodiversity, marine protection and the safe handling of chemicals and waste. It seeks to create and utilise synergies between a wide range of stakeholders to facilitate efficient progress in global environmental protection.

Geneva: a leading location in global environmental policy

Geneva has established itself as a key international location in global environmental policy, with the majority of the city's international organisations involved in some way with this issue. Particular importance is attached to coordination and exchange between the more than 70 environmentally focused organisations in the city, for example as part of the Geneva Environment Network (GEN), which Switzerland supports. Switzerland is committed to further developing Geneva's pioneering role in this regard.

Switzerland's instruments for foreign policy on the environment

The FDFA ensures the coherence of Switzerland's environmental foreign policy positions. This allows the country to act as a credible partner in international bodies, presenting convincing arguments and safeguarding its interests. To that end, it uses a range of instruments enabling cooperation across the Federal Administration, for example the Interdepartmental Committee on the Climate. Dialogue and the involvement of science, business and civil society are also actively promoted.

Links

• Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
• Geneva Environment Network (GEN)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (fr)
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Maritime Strategy 2023–27