Climate policy

Liechtenstein is party to all important multilateral climate agreements. Since 1994, Liechtenstein has been a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In 2005, Liechtenstein ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which provides for an eight percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) by 2012, compared to 1990. In 2014, the Liechtenstein parliament approved the extension of the Kyoto Protocol until 2020. By doing so, Liechtenstein committed itself to reduce its GGE by 20 percent until 2020, compared to 1990. In the negotiation process for the Climate Agreement, which was adopted in Paris in 2015, Liechtenstein advocated for an ambitious agreement with a review mechanism that is as robust, efficient, and flexible as possible and that is compatible with the size of small states. In addition, Liechtenstein advocated, among other things, for a strengthening of climate adaptation and for the consideration of human rights in the implementation of climate protection measures. The Liechtenstein Parliament approved the Paris Agreement in June 2017. Liechtenstein welcomes the fact that the negotiated agreement applies universally and has pledged a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as a national goal.

Liechtenstein engages in the multilateral climate negotiations as part of the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG). The EIG was founded as part of the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol and today comprises of Georgia, Mexico, Monaco, Switzerland, South Korea and Liechtenstein. The members of the group are from three different continents and are committed to a progressive climate policy. The EIG is the only negotiation group that includes both industrialized and developing countries, enabling it to often act as a constructive mediator between different blocs.

Liechtenstein provides voluntarily climate financing within the framework of the UNFCCC. In the field of climate policy, the Office is responsible for overseeing the separate funds for climate finance. These funds are used for climate-relevant projects in developing countries, which are selected in cooperation with the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED) and the Office for the Environment. Around 10 percent of the annual budget for International and Humanitarian Cooperation and Development (IHCD) is used for climate finance. Liechtenstein’s climate finance contains both adaptation and mitigation projects.