Switzerland: Federal Council backs a cement-only CBAM, subject to an import trigger

The Swiss Federal Council on 21 October 2026 recommended that Parliament approve a carbon border adjustment limited to cement imports. The bill, drawn up by the National Council’s Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (UREK-N/CEATE-N), aims to offset the difference in CO2 costs between Swiss cement and cement from third countries with less ambitious climate policies.

The government supports the principle but asks for a safeguard. Citing the risks for foreign trade, it recommends a trigger mechanism: the levy would only become payable once cement imports exceed a threshold. It suggests setting this threshold by ordinance, together with the industry, for example at between 10,000 and 40,000 tonnes.

The bill, adopted by the committee on 31 August 2026 by 14 votes to 10…