What is a Secretary of State for Climate?

A Secretary of State is a federal administrative structure dedicated to a specific sector, which coordinates policies between different Federal Departments. A climate secretary would be tasked with ensuring that all federal policy decisions - taxation, subsidies, construction, energy - are geared toward exiting fossil fuels and achieving the 2030 climate goals.

Why is Albert Rösti criticised by the Greens on climate policy?

Lisa Mazzone, president of the Greens, accuses Rösti of denying the seriousness of the climate crisis and of remaining tied to his own dogmas and lobbies. In addition, Rösti himself admitted that Switzerland will not achieve the climate targets set for 2030, suggesting a lack of concrete action by the Department of the Environment under his management.

What will the extension of the Buildings Programme mean for measures against heat?

The extension would result in new federal funds for the renovation of existing buildings, reducing CO₂ emissions while improving protection from summer heat. For homeowners, this means potentially more federal and cantonal contributions for energy renovations, resulting in reduced energy bills.

How much money do you end up abroad each year for fossil fuels?

According to Marionna Schlatter, national councilor of the Greens, every year 8 billion francs end up abroad for the import of fossil fuels. These funds fuel the climate crisis and international conflicts, while they could be reinvested in Switzerland for the energy transition.

When will the Greens' request take effect?

The request will follow the Swiss parliamentary process: motion or postulate, discussions in Federal Committees, vote in Plenum. The process can take months or years depending on the order of parliamentary work. In the meantime, the climate policy debate will continue through normal institutional channels.

Secretary of State for Climate: the Greens' request (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 25 August 2026

Green Party press conference on Swiss federal climate state secretariat request

The Greens call for a Secretary of State for Climate and Exit from Fossil Energies. Lisa Mazzone attacks Federal Councillor Rösti head-on.

Context

In a nutshell

Greens call for Secretary of State for Climate Protection and Exit from Fossils
Lisa Mazzone accuses Rösti: not suitable to lead the climate transition
Switzerland will not reach 2030 climate targets, admits Federal Council

Key facts

What: Creation of the Secretary of State for Climate Protection
Who: Green Party, Lisa Mazzone (president), Albert Rösti (federal councillor)
When: 2026, during a heat wave
Where: Swiss federal level
Amount: 8 billion francs ends up abroad each year for fossil fuels
Objective: Planned exit from fossil fuels by 2030

The Green Party no longer accepts slow times on climate policy. During a press conference, Lisa Mazzone, president of the party, announced a double request to the Federal Council: the creation of a Secretary of State dedicated to climate protection and a commitment to a planned exit from fossil fuels.

But the most direct message is addressed to Federal Councillor Albert Rösti. Mazzone accuses him head-on of not being the right person to act with the necessary determination on the climate. He explicitly asked the Federal Council to remove the Department of the Environment from him. The reason? According to the president of the Greens, Rösti continues to deny the severity of the climate crisis, remaining tied to his own dogmas and lobbies.

The heaviest figure comes from a statement that

Operational details

Fossil energy dependency numbers tell a story that directly affects the portfolios of Swiss residents. According to Marionna Schlatter, national councilor of the Greens of the Canton of Zurich, every year 8 billion francs ends up abroad, fueling both the climate crisis and international conflicts. These are resources that, if reinvested in Switzerland, could finance climate adaptation and internal energy transition.

This is where the Buildings Programme comes into play, a federal instrument that the Greens want to strengthen financially and also extend to measures against heat. The program is aimed at rehabilitating existing buildings to reduce CO₂ emissions while improving protection from excessive heat. The logic is simple: with the same investment, two problems are solved at the same time. Less energy consumption for winter heating, less need for air conditioning in summer, less emissions, less weight on the bill.

What it really means for people living in Switzerland

For property owners and renters, a possible expansion of the Buildings Program would entail access to federal contributions, often coupled with cantonal incentives, for renovation work and thermal insulation. Cantons such as Ticino, Valais, Vaud and Geneva already offer complementary subsidies to federal programs. A dedicated Secretary of State could accelerate the integration between the

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Key points

The Greens' request will follow Swiss constitutional channels. A State Secretary for climate protection requires a parliamentary initiative—a motion or postulate—presented by one or more green deputies, followed by discussion in federal Commissions, then in Plenary. The process is not fast: from a proposal to a vote in the Chamber, months or even years can pass, depending on the order of parliamentary business.

The request to remove Albert Rösti from the Department of the Environment is a strong political statement, but which, constitutionally, cannot be imposed by a motion: the Federal Council appoints the ministers, and Parliament elects the Federal Council as a collegial body. What the Greens can do is fuel public and parliamentary debate on climate policy management, influence the agenda of the Chambers, and resort to procedures such as interpellations and oral questions to oversee the work of the Department of the Environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Secretary of State for Climate?: A Secretary of State is a federal administrative structure dedicated to a specific sector, which coordinates policies between different Federal Departments. A climate secretary would be tasked with ensuring that all federal policy decisions - taxation, subsidies, construction, energy - are geared toward exiting fossil fuels and achieving the 2030 climate goals.
Why is Albert Rösti criticised by the Greens on climate policy?: Lisa Mazzone, president of the Greens, accuses Rösti of denying the seriousness of the climate crisis and of remaining tied to his own dogmas and lobbies. In addition, Rösti himself admitted that Switzerland will not achieve the climate targets set for 2030, suggesting a lack of concrete action by the Department of the Environment under his management.
What will the extension of the Buildings Programme mean for measures against heat?: The extension would result in new federal funds for the renovation of existing buildings, reducing CO₂ emissions while improving protection from summer heat. For homeowners, this means potentially more federal and cantonal contributions for energy renovations, resulting in reduced energy bills.
How much money do you end up abroad each year for fossil fuels?: According to Marionna Schlatter, national councilor of the Greens, every year 8 billion francs end up abroad for the import of fossil fuels. These funds fuel the climate crisis and international conflicts, while they could be reinvested in Switzerland for the energy transition.
When will the Greens' request take effect?: The request will follow the Swiss parliamentary process: motion or postulate, discussions in Federal Committees, vote in Plenum. The process can take months or years depending on the order of parliamentary work. In the meantime, the climate policy debate will continue through normal institutional channels.