Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability: Consultation launched
On 1 April 2026, at the request of the Council of States’ preliminary consultation committee, the Federal Council launched the consultation process on the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). This agreement sends an important signal regarding the integration of trade policy and climate protection. The ACCTS establishes a binding framework that combines economic opportunities with environmental responsibility and makes a targeted contribution to achieving global environmental and climate goals.
Under the ACCTS, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland and New Zealand are phasing out import duties on a total of 360 environmental goods – including key technologies in the fields of renewable energy, the circular economy and energy efficiency. The agreement also facilitates market access for over a hundred environment-related services. The aim is to strengthen international value chains and the competitiveness of sustainable industries. Furthermore, the agreement contains binding rules on the phasing out of harmful subsidies for fossil fuels. Subsidies that are particularly harmful to the environment – such as those for coal and certain oil and gas production – will be banned. This reduces market distortions and promotes investment in climate-friendly technologies.
In the area of voluntary environmental labelling, the ACCTS promotes greater quality and transparency. The agreed guidelines are intended to prevent greenwashing, facilitate international trade in sustainable products and strengthen consumer confidence. The implementation of the agreement does not require any amendments to Swiss national law.