Following a postulate of the Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxes, the Federal Council adopted the report "The Swiss National Bank and Switzerland's Sustainability Goals". This report outlines two important issues.
Firstly, it is the view of the Federal Council that, in fulfilling its mandate, the SNB takes into account various aspects in relation to the climate, the environment and sustainability where these affect price and financial stability or result in financial risks for the SNB.
Secondly, the Swiss Government is opposed to an expansion of the tasks and competencies of the SNB in relation to environmental policy. In the view of the Federal Council, the independence of the SNB is fundamental to ensuring its sole mandate: guaranteeing price stability. A clear division of competencies between the SNB, the Federal Council and Parliament is necessary. Although, in fulfilling its mandate, the SNB assists the Federal Council and Parliament to pursue Switzerland’s social, environmental and sustainability objectives.