SWITZERLAND: Switzerland to vote on taxing the rich to fund climate fight

Thanks to 109,988 signatures, Switzerland will vote through a referendum on the introduction of a 50% tax on inheritances above 50 million francs to allocate funds to protect the climate and finance the ecological transformation of the economy.

On February 8, a long line of activists from the Socialist Youth of Switzerland, joined by environmental advocates, marched to the Federal Chancellery in Bern, boxes in hand. These boxes contained 109,988 signatures supporting the “For the Future” popular initiative.

The signatures have now been validated, setting the stage for a referendum in Switzerland. The initiative proposes a hefty 50% tax on inheritances exceeding 50 million francs (around 49 million USD), which are currently tax-exempt. With the validation by the Chancellery, Swiss voters will soon have the opportunity to voice their opinion on this proposal through a referendum. The goal? To raise approximately 6 billion francs annually, earmarked for climate protection measures and financing the green transformation of the economy.

How the tax revenue would be used
According to the Swiss Socialist Youth Organization (GISO), the federal government and cantons could deploy these funds in a socially equitable manner to address the climate crisis. This proposal presents a chance for substantial change, kick-starting a climate policy that is both consistent and socially responsible.

The tax revenue could be used for various purposes, such as retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy sources, implementing retraining programs for workers in climate-damaging sectors, and significantly enhancing public transportation.

This proposal aligns with the increasing body of research indicating that the wealthiest individuals play a significant role in driving the climate crisis through their investments and lifestyle choices. A report by Oxfam has highlighted that in 2019, the wealthiest 1% of the global population was responsible for 16% of total carbon dioxide emissions from consumption.

19 September 2025

UK: UK FCA to Relax Crypto Rules, Boost Cyber Laws: FT

The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) intends to relax certain regulations for cryptocurrency companies while tightening rules in areas like cyber risks, according to a Financial Times report

Read More
25 October 2024

AFRICA: Kenya Implements Real-Time Crypto Tracking for Better Tax Compliance

Tracking crypto transactions in real-time is something the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is doing in big measure. This action is meant to solve the rising tax losses in the nation resulting from ineffective

Read More
3 January 2025

EU: MiCA Now Fully Live: Here’s What That Means for the Crypto Industry

The European Union’s crypto regulatory framework MiCA goes into full force, heralding significant changes for the industry. Major events like the ICO boom and the implosions of Terra and FTX have

Read More
1 November 2024

CARIBBEAN: Caribbean Leaders Unite at Policy Meeting to Prepare for COP29

The recently concluded Regional Policy Meeting held in Barbados from October 8-10, 2024, provided critical insights as the Caribbean prepares for COP29 – the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Read More