Swiss Government Cuts Funding for Forest Conservation, Raising Alarm as Heat and Drought Worsen

Switzerland’s government intends to cut funding for helping forests adapt to climate change from 2027, a move criticized as ill-timed given worsening heat and drought. The decision, first reported by NZZ am Sonntag and confirmed by the federal environment office, removes planned funds from the financial planning managed by the relevant department. Parliament had previously approved CHF 100 million over four years for measures including planting heat- and drought-resistant tree species, later extended but reduced by about a third.