Over the three days of the Christmas period the Swiss Air Rescue Service Rega flew more than 150 rescue missions, an average of more than 50 a day, reported SRF. The number of air rescue flights over the 24th, 25th and 26th of December 2024 was 20% higher than over the same period in 2023. […]
Verbier misses emission busting opportunity
Holidays generate greenhouse gas and ski holidays are no exception. However, if no flying is involved, ski holidays can be relatively low carbon. The carbon consulting firm ecollective, includes a train-based ski trip to France (from the UK) among its list of lowest-carbon holidays. Transport fairly obviously accounts for most of the emissions associated with […]
Swiss-EU negotiations now complete
On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship, reported RTS. Von der Leyen described the deal as a historic agreement that is all the more important given the tense global situation. In times of war and economic […]
Swiss environmental vote next February likely to fail
A poll published on 20 December 2024 suggests next February’s referendum on the environment is likely to fail, reported RTS. The initiative is vague, however, it aims to reduce economic activity and consumption to a level that allows the environment to regenerate back to its natural level. The natural resources used and the pollution emitted […]
Federal parliament approves abolition of imputed rent
After a stalemate last week, Switzerland’s federal parliament and upper house found a way forward this week on the abolition of imputed rent that both houses could agree on, reported SRF. For more than seven years, the National Council and the Council of States have been discussing how to do away with the imputed rent, […]
Swiss support mobile phone bans in schools
This week, a survey revealed that 82% of Swiss favour mobile phone bans in schools, reported RTS. The percentage rises to 87% among women, with men supporting a ban slightly less (78%). Support for school phone bans cuts across political party lines. 85% of Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC) and Socialist Party members favour such a […]
Switzerland’s drink driving accident rates by canton
Across Switzerland, there were 0.49 serious car accident per 10,000 residents involving alcohol in 2023, reported Touring Club Switzerland (TCS). However, some cantons had rates well above this average, with the canton of Geneva in the lead. In 2023, there were 1.09 serious car accident per 10,000 residents involving alcohol in Geneva, a number more […]
Swiss set to vote on night train subsidies
This week, the Green Party and the environmental group actif-trafiC announced they had gathered enough signatures to trigger a vote to overturn a government decision to cut subsidies for overnight trains. Together, they presented 58,640 signatures to officials in Bern. In Switzerland, a referendum can be called to overturn a government decision if at least […]
Health and health insurance remain top concern for Swiss
Every year, the bank UBS publishes its Worry Barometer, a poll that ranks the greatest concerns among Swiss voters. This week, it released the results for 2024. This year’s top concerns are healthcare, environmental and climate protection and retirement provision. Polling for the survey conducted from mid-August to mid-September and included the views of 2,250 […]
Around 1 in 5 adults in Switzerland at bottom of numeracy and literacy scores
An OECD study published this week shows the level of literacy, numeracy and problem solving among the adult population across 31 OECD nations. Switzerland, scores above average on all three measures with significant differences across gender and educational backgrounds. These adult aptitude tests run by the OECD are known colloquially as adult PISA scores. In […]
