BreakFree
10 Unterschriften erreicht
An: Federal councillor Albert Rösti
No Big Polluters in Switzerland’s COP30 Delegation!
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Two industry representatives — from Syngenta and the Swiss Trade Association (sgv/USAM) — have been appointed to the official Swiss delegation to COP30 in Brazil. These are actors whose records directly contradict our country’s climate and human rights commitments.
We, the undersigned, demand that the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC):
1️⃣ Suspend Syngenta and USAM delegates from the Swiss official delegation at COP 30.
2️⃣ Guarantee coherence between Switzerland’s international positions and commitment to the Paris climate agreement and the activities of its official representatives.
3️⃣ Review the selection criteria and processes to ensure an exemplary representation for all future COP delegates. Exclude representatives who are involved in serious human rights violations or environmental pollution, or undermine the climate protection agenda.
4️⃣ Ensure meaningful involvement of civil society and transparency in this process.
Warum ist das wichtig?
Two industry representatives — from Syngenta and the Swiss Trade Association (sgv/USAM) — have been appointed to the official Swiss delegation to COP30 in Brazil. These are actors whose records directly contradict our country’s climate and human rights commitments.
- Syngenta — currently being sued by the Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency (IBAMA), condemned by a Brazilian court for the death of a landless farmer, and known for having heavily lobbied to weaken Brazilian’s national pesticide law against the President’s will — has been appointed by Albert Rösti, the head of the DETEC, to the official Swiss delegation to COP30 in Brazil. This is a total affront to the host country, which is itself on the frontlines of the climate and biodiversity crisis. COP and Switzerland’s credibility are on the line. Now owned by the Chinese state giant ChemChina, Syngenta still profits from exporting toxic pesticides banned in Switzerland and the EU — chemicals that are poisoning farmers and ecosystems abroad.
- sgv/USAM’s has fought against stronger climate and ESG rules, and fights against fossil fuel phase out, putting short-term profit before environmental responsibility.
This isn’t representation — it’s a conflict of interest. It undermines Switzerland’s legitimacy in global climate talks and betrays those most affected by the climate crisis.
Civil society expects an exemplary representation that lives up to Switzerland's human and environmental rights - and it’s the duty of its ministry of environment to ensure the right processes to achieve this goal. Switzerland can do and should do better.
With these choices, the Swiss government severely contradicts the climate ambition decided by the Swiss people.
✍️ Sign now to demand a climate delegation that truly represents us — not big polluters.
They support us:
They support us:
Chukki Nanjundaswamy, Spokesperson of the KRRS farmers' movement in India says:
“Syngenta is one of the main drivers of agricultural unsustainability and farmer suicides in India, due to its monopoly over seeds and pesticides. KRRS therefore urges the COP to recognize Syngenta not as a leader in sustainability, but as the head of the team driving unsustainability and the criminalization of agrarian distress.”
RAMA (Rede Agroecológica do Maranhão)
"In regions such as the Cerrado and the Amazon, the expansion of the agribusiness model — with Syngenta as one of its main suppliers — causes territorial and socio-environmental conflicts with traditional communities, such as babaçu nut breakers, Indigenous peoples, quilombolas, and riverine communities. The massive use of pesticides near these areas contaminates the babaçu palm groves, rivers, and food, directly affecting food security and public health."
Rudi Berli, Secrétaire d’Uniterre (Suisse)
“The lobbyists of the agro-industry and free-trade policies are accelerating the climate crisis and destroying food sovereignty and security. Their place is not in the official Swiss delegation.”
Lucia Marina dos Santos Solteira, Member of Parliament of the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST)
Kick Big Polluters Out
Max Voegtli (Drop Fossil Subsidies)
"Swiss corporations already benefit from at least CHF 2.8 billion in Fossil Subsidies ensure that Switzerland meeting its Climate Targets is a distant fantasy. Bundesrat Rösti's inclusion of a foreign owned chemical company in the delegation to a climate conference, shows once again that his only interests are those of his corporate backers and sponsors. We must and will challenge this 'Lobbyism Politics' that is plaguing modern democracy."
Max Voegtli (Drop Fossil Subsidies)
"Swiss corporations already benefit from at least CHF 2.8 billion in Fossil Subsidies ensure that Switzerland meeting its Climate Targets is a distant fantasy. Bundesrat Rösti's inclusion of a foreign owned chemical company in the delegation to a climate conference, shows once again that his only interests are those of his corporate backers and sponsors. We must and will challenge this 'Lobbyism Politics' that is plaguing modern democracy."