Meteorologists are forecasting cooler temperatures in Switzerland for the rest of the summer, but the Green Party wants the government to implement special measures to protect the population during future heatwaves.
Switzerland was hit by periods of extreme heat in June and the first two weeks of August this year, and has suffered from intensive heatwaves in previous years as well.
It is therefore a legitimate expectation – based on previous experiences as well as the global warming trend – that extreme weather episodes will return in future summers.
Therefore, the Greens have worked out a 26-point ‘Heatwave Plan’ – that goes beyond the current statuary measures – and which the party wants the government to implement during future hot spells.
Here are the main points:
Adapt the tenancy law
Mandatory heat protection measures must be implemented in rental housing.
In cases of unbearable heat, tenants must be entitled to an automatic rent reduction.
READ ALSO: Heatwave: Are you entitled to a rent reduction in your Swiss home?
Anchor workplace heat protection in law
From 26C employers must take measures to protect employees’ health, including longer breaks, shaded areas, free drinks, or reduced working hours, the Greens say.
If this obligation is not respected, employees must have the right not to work at all.
“No strenuous work should be performed in extreme heat,” which the Greens define as 30C and up.
And in the absence of permanently shaded areas, strenuous outdoor activities must be stopped or adapted accordingly.
Obligation to measure the temperature
“Companies must be required to measure the temperature in workplaces and automatically take protective measures when critical values are exceeded.”
READ ALSO: The rules in Switzerland for working in a heatwave
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Prepare the healthcare system
Hospitals, medical practices, and care facilities must be prepared for increased heat-related incidents.
Protect healthcare facilities
The federal government must set mandatory heat protection standards for healthcare facilities, ranging from staff training to architectural adaptations and air conditioning when energy renovations are not possible in the short term.
“These adaptations must be supported by federal funds, such as the climate fund,” the Party argues.
Making schools heat-resistant
Children must also be protected from the heat in their schools.
“The federal government must therefore emphasise heat control in education, with guidelines, factsheets, and training concepts,” the Greens said.
“These include recommendations on architectural measures, ventilation, flexible scheduling of lessons on hot days, and, if necessary, the installation of air conditioning systems.”
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Will this plan be implemented, either partially or in its entirety?
The government has not yet reacted to it, but some diverging views have already emerged from other political parties.
Not surprisingly, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is against the proposed measures.
“We don’t need state paternalism. Everyone can find a shady spot,” said one of the party’s MPs, Thomas de Courten.
However, Stefan Müller-Altermatt, a Centre Party deputy has a more moderate view of the plan.
“Of course we have to adapt to this new climate reality,” he stated.
However, he doesn’t believe that – given Switzerland’s decentralised system – the federal government should be responsible for implementing and funding the plan.
Instead, individual cantons and municipalities should have their own action plans – as well as finances – for heatwave measures on their territories.
