Under the coalition name “No 50°C Summers!”, more than 70 organizations from civil society and the climate, health, environmental, and agricultural sectors are calling for immediate heat and climate protection measures. The scorching summer of 2026 makes the climate crisis palpable.
The summer of 2026 is confronting Switzerland with extreme heat and unprecedented drought. The consequences are numerous and far-reaching: unbearable temperatures in classrooms, workplaces, and hospitals; heat-related deaths; overwhelmed emergency rooms; crises in agriculture; and stress on local ecosystems. This clearly demonstrates that the climate crisis has long been a reality.
The signatory organizations warn: “This new reality is only the beginning.” Laurène Descamps of the coalition explains: “Without a fundamental political and economic shift in course, summer temperatures of up to 50°C could threaten Switzerland by mid-century.” New Swiss climate scenarios (MeteoSwiss) confirm that such temperatures cannot be ruled out under extreme climate scenarios in 2050.
Recognition of the Climate Crisis and Consistent Emissions Reduction
In addition to immediate protective measures, the coalition calls for recognition of the climate crisis and an immediate phase-out of fossil fuels. Without consistent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, even the most effective adaptation measures will ultimately only treat the symptoms.
According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Switzerland continues to fall short of its already modest climate targets, invests insufficiently in climate protection, and clings to structures that further fuel the climate crisis. Far-reaching changes are therefore necessary across all sectors (particularly in transportation, industry, the economy, buildings, and agriculture). Those responsible for greenhouse gas emissions should pay for the resulting climate damage.
Switzerland bears a particularly heavy responsibility through its financial center
In addition, Klima-Allianz Schweiz calls for effective regulations targeting industries that are particularly harmful to the climate in order to rapidly reduce the emissions for which Switzerland bears historical responsibility. Switzerland bears a particularly heavy responsibility through its financial center, commodity trading, and internationally active corporations. The Swiss financial sector alone is responsible for 14 to 18 times (WWF Switzerland) the total domestic CO2 emissions of Switzerland.
The alliance also emphasizes the global dimension of the climate crisis. The most severe consequences are already affecting people in the Global South, who have contributed the least to global warming. That is why a socially just transformation is needed—one that combines climate protection, social security, and global responsibility.
Immediate Protective Measures Against the Heat Are Called for
“This heat threatens people’s health and lives,” says Dr. Bernhard Aufdereggen, president of Doctors for Environmental Protection. “Protective measures for vulnerable people—as well as for the climate—must be implemented urgently and swiftly.”
The organizations are calling for measures that can be implemented quickly to protect the population. These include the rapid and widespread greening of cities and communities, the climate-resilient renovation of buildings—especially schools and public facilities— binding measures to protect health in the workplace (such as adjusted work and school hours during heat waves or guaranteed pay in the event of work interruptions due to extreme heat), as well as effective protective measures for particularly vulnerable individuals, such as free access to air-conditioned spaces.
In addition, there is an urgent need to support farmers in dealing with crop failures, animal welfare, and climate adaptation. “Farmers are struggling with a drought that, in many places, is beyond anything ever seen before. It is already clear that the extreme heat will cause significant crop failures,” explains Karel Ziehli of the farmers’ organization Uniterre.
