The International Energy Agency (IEA) urged Switzerland on Monday to make more efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, the local Swissinfo website reported.
Current Swiss efforts to rein in atmospheric pollution including voluntary measures and the so-called "climate centime" are insufficient, and that higher taxes on fuel were necessary, the IEA said in a report.
IEA Director Nobuo Tanaka said in Bern that while Switzerland had made progress toward reducing greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol, it also had to look further down the road.
"Kyoto is just the first step and must be followed by a more ambitious international agreement," he added. "The real challenge is yet to come and lies in the post-Kyoto period."
With oil use responsible for more than three quarters of Switzerland's carbon dioxide emissions, the IEA report pointed out that efforts to cut greenhouse gases must now focus on transport and heating.
One solution adopted by the Swiss to promote more reasonable energy use is a tax on carbon dioxide emissions that comes into force early this year. Heating oil and gas will face levy of 12 Swiss francs (about 10.75 U.S. dollars) for each ton of carbon dioxide emitted.
Tanaka said though that compared with European countries, Switzerland was not taxing oil use sufficiently to make it unattractive when necessary. The IEA recommends raising these taxes further.
The IEA acts as energy policy advisor to 26 member countries including Switzerland in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for their citizens.
Founded during the oil crisis of 1973-74, the IEA's initial role was to co-ordinate measures in times of oil supply emergencies.
Its mandate has broadened to incorporate the "Three E's" of balanced energy policy making: energy security, economic development and environmental protection.
Source:Xinhua
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