Climate Agreement and Trade: Consultation concluded

Context

In Brief

• ACCTS consultation concluded on September 9, 2026 with broad consensus
• 42 favorable opinions out of 45: support from cantons and business associations
• Agreement between Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland and New Zealand
• Liberalization of environmental goods/services and provisions on fossil fuel subsidies

Key Facts

• What: Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS)
• When: Consultation concluded September 9, 2026
• Where: Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand
• Who: Federal Council, with approval from cantons and associations
• Result: 42 favorable opinions out of 45 total
• Central elements: Environmental liberalization, fossil fuel subsidies, ecological labeling
• Timeline: National Council approval September 2025

On September 9, 2026, the Federal Council concluded the consultation on the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), signed by Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland and New Zealand. The results show broad national consensus: of the 45 opinions received, 42 were favorable and only 3 were against.

The Agreement integrates aspects of trade, climate and environmental policy into a single regulatory instrument. Specifically, it provides for the liberalization of environmental goods and services, provisions on subsidies for fossil energy and guidelines for ecological labeling. The innovative element lies in the combined approach: rather than addressing trade, climate and environment separately, the ACCTS brings them together in a coherent sustainability framework.

Parliamentary Process and Cross-Party Support

The project has already received initial approval from the lower chamber. The National Council had already approved the Agreement in September 2025. At the request of the commission responsible for the preliminary examination of the States Council, the Federal Council submitted the dossier to consultation from April 1 to June 8, 2026.

Cross-party support is broad: cantons, political parties, business associations, the energy sector, environmental organizations and those active in sustainability have expressed favorable opinions. The most appreciated points are the innovative nature of the Agreement, the promotion of environmental technologies and sustainable services, provisions on fossil energy subsidies and the contribution to an international commercial system based on rules.

Operational details

Broad Consensus, But Targeted Criticisms

Although the consensus is widely overwhelming, it was not unanimous. Three consultation participants expressed opposition, raising questions that reflect normal tensions in large-scale commercial negotiations. Primarily, they fear that the liberalization of environmental goods and services may entail risks to public services and working and wage conditions. An understandable concern: market openings often bring about employment adjustments in sectors hitherto protected by tariff barriers.

Secondly, they expressed criticism regarding an excessive limitation of Switzerland's room for maneuver in energy policy matters. This touches a central aspect of national sovereignty: Switzerland has its own energy strategy, based on hydroelectric and nuclear sources, and the commitment to align with international commercial rules entails normal constraints for any multilateral agreement. The balance between commercial opening and strategic autonomy remains delicate.

Technical and Administrative Doubts

Several participants raised more specific questions relating to the formulation and consequences of individual provisions. In particular, they sought clarification on exceptions relating to subsidies for fossil fuels: in what situations will Switzerland be able to maintain national support for specific energy sectors? How can energy supply security be ensured without violating commercial constraints? A concern made even more significant in a context of global energy volatility.

The topic of 'maintaining current energy and economic policy instruments' was also highlighted. The new provisions and ecological labeling will require coordinated regulatory adjustments between federal and cantonal authorities. Enterprises will need to update production processes and certification systems to comply with common standards. Some expressed concern about 'avoiding further administrative burdens for enterprises and authorities'.

Limited Effect from the Four Signatories

Some participants highlighted that the direct impact of the Agreement is limited by the small number of contracting parties: only four countries. An agreement among four economies, however advanced in its formulation, affects a relatively narrow slice of global trade in environmental goods and services. For this reason, several participants expect Switzerland to continue to commit actively to the accession of other States. Broadening the Agreement's scope could multiply commercial benefits and reduce the risk that Switzerland negotiates with partners in very different positions.

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Key points

Next steps in Parliament

The Agreement continues its legislative path. Following the approval of the National Council in September 2025 and the conclusion of the consultation on September 9, 2026, the dossier now passes to the Council of States for preliminary examination and subsequent final approval. The precise schedule of votes has not yet been communicated in the Federal Council's press release, but the accelerated pace of the procedure suggests that ratification by the end of 2026 or early 2027 is aimed at. Once approved by both chambers, the Agreement will proceed according to international ratification procedures, in coordination with Costa Rica, Iceland, and New Zealand.

Concrete impact for businesses and consumers

The ACCTS will have impacts on three main areas of Swiss economic life. First, Swiss companies operating in the environmental technologies and sustainable services sector will benefit from easier access to the markets of Costa Rica, Iceland, and New Zealand. The elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers for goods such as energy efficiency devices, renewable energy solutions, and environmental consulting services will support national exports in these sectors.

Second, Swiss consumers will progressively see more standardized and transparent ecological labels on products from the four signatory countries. Assessing whether a good meets environmental responsibility criteria will become easier. This feeds the already strong trend in Switzerland toward conscious and sustainable consumption.

Third, federal and cantonal energy policy will need to coordinate more closely with these new commercial commitments. The limit on subsidies for fossil fuels represents a virtuous stance in line with Switzerland's climate objectives, but constrains national discretion in future scenarios. For example, if Switzerland in the future wished to implement support programs for specific energy projects, it would need to verify compliance with ACCTS criteria.

How to stay informed and take action

To follow job opportunities in environmental technology and sustainability sectors, regularly consult specialized platforms and announcements from companies leading innovation in this field. If you represent a company interested in export opportunities for environmental goods and services to the three international partners, explore Switzerland's leading companies in the sector for partnerships and strategic discussions. The liberalization process will entail new labeling standards: prepare your compliance processes by contacting the competent cantonal chamber of commerce and consulting SECO's federal guidelines. The timeframe for adaptation will be tight once the Agreement enters into force.

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Source: seco.admin.ch