Federal Council reprimands Climate Cent Foundation for expensive advertising campaign
The Klimarappen Foundation failed to inform federal authorities in advance about an advertising campaign costing 1.5 million francs. The Federal Council reacted with annoyance, saying the campaign gave the impression of being political advertising.
The Climate Cent Foundation, which is obliged to report to the Federal Council, failed to inform the federal authorities in advance about an advertising campaign costing CHF 1.5 million. This emerged on Tuesday from a Federal Council response to a question from the National Council. The national government expressed its annoyance. The foundation also has a public task and is therefore subject to particular sensitivity. The climate cent is levied on consumers with the promise that it will be used to finance CO-2-reducing measures and not for advertising on its own behalf.
According to the Federal Council, the campaign also gives the impression of political advertising, as the consultation on the law for the post-Kyoto period is currently underway. The foundation emphasizes that it only wanted to make itself known to the public. There has never been any political influence.
The Foundation invests in greenhouse gas-reducing projects in Switzerland and abroad. The resulting emission reductions are calculated according to nationally and internationally recognized principles and can be counted towards Switzerland's reduction target. The Climate Cent Foundation is financed by a levy of 1.5 cents per liter on all petrol and diesel imports. This raises around CHF 100 million annually, which can be invested in projects - or in advertising.
According to the Federal Council, the campaign also gives the impression of political advertising, as the consultation on the law for the post-Kyoto period is currently underway. The foundation emphasizes that it only wanted to make itself known to the public. There has never been any political influence.
The Foundation invests in greenhouse gas-reducing projects in Switzerland and abroad. The resulting emission reductions are calculated according to nationally and internationally recognized principles and can be counted towards Switzerland's reduction target. The Climate Cent Foundation is financed by a levy of 1.5 cents per liter on all petrol and diesel imports. This raises around CHF 100 million annually, which can be invested in projects - or in advertising.
