Swiss government wants CO2 levy on cement imports

Federal Council wants CO2 border adjustment on cement imports

Keystone-SDA

The governing Federal Council wants to ensure a level playing field between Swiss cement and cement from abroad. To this end, a CO₂ compensation levy is to be imposed on cement imports above a certain quantity.

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October 21, 2026 – 12:38

A CO₂ border adjustment mechanism is intended to offset differences in the CO₂ costs of cement production between Switzerland and third countries with less ambitious climate policies, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday. It recommends that parliament approve a corresponding bill from the National Council’s Environment Committee.

In Switzerland, cement production is integrated into an emissions trading scheme (ETS). The ETS sets a price on CO2 emissions, thereby creating an incentive to reduce CO2.

Holcim also manufactures in Switzerland – here is the factory in Siggental, Canton of Aargau.

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Green promises: the two faces of the Swiss cement giant Holcim

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Sep 22, 2025

On the very day Holcim is fighting against a climate lawsuit in a court in Zug, the Swiss cement company is promoting its Net Zero plans at a congress just a few kilometres down the road.

According to the Federal Council, a CO₂ border adjustment is intended to prevent cement production from being relocated to third countries without an ETS.

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Translated from German, reviewed by an English Department journalist.

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