With the adoption of the Climate and Innovation Act in August 2023, Switzerland committed to the energy transition and intends to become climate neutral by 2050. To succeed, public support is crucial. However, a representative survey conducted by the Sotomo research institute on behalf of Avenergy Suisse shows that the Swiss people's belief in the energy transition is limited: a large majority of the population (85%) does not consider it likely that the net-zero target can be achieved by 2050. Nevertheless, 61% of respondents support continuing to pursue the net-zero target. On the path to achieving the desired climate neutrality, technological progress is given particular importance: 89% see it as a crucial lever in curbing climate change. Specifically, the expansion of renewable energies enjoys the most support with 71%. Interestingly, around half of the Swiss population only supports the net-zero target if other high-emission countries also contribute.
**Personal commitment somewhat limited**
In terms of personal behaviour, the Swiss population shows restraint: only a little over half of respondents (53%) are willing to align their personal behaviour more closely with climate protection. Approximately the same proportion, 52%, are willing to pay more for energy from renewable sources – 46% are not. Furthermore, half of the respondents (50%) assume that the energy transition will negatively impact Switzerland's prosperity.
**Majority finds media coverage moralising**
The climate change debate polarises the population: while 40% of respondents perceive the public debate as downplaying the issue, a narrow majority (53%) finds it overly dramatic. When asked about media coverage of climate change, the public's assessment is critical: 60% find it moralising – only just over a third (35%) perceive it as factual. Notably, even among those who support combating climate change, 44% see the coverage as too moralising.
**No successful energy transition without oil**
The study also examined the importance of individual energy sources for current and future supply. Switzerland remains heavily reliant on oil and gas: in 2024, more than half of the final consumption in Switzerland came from fossil energy sources, with 46% from petroleum products alone. However, the study shows that the population is unaware of how high this share still is: on average, respondents assumed that oil currently covers only about a quarter (26%) of the total energy consumption. Despite this misperception, a majority (56%) believes that fossil fuels cannot yet be fully replaced by renewable energy sources today. Remarkably, two-thirds (66%) of respondents agree that public life today would largely come to a standstill without fossil fuels.
'The results of our survey show that the population wants and expects a shift in Switzerland's energy supply towards renewable sources,' concludes Michael Hermann, CEO of Sotomo. Hydropower and solar energy are seen as the pillars of the future energy system, alongside nuclear energy. At the same time, the population assumes that fossil energy sources will continue to play a vital role in the energy supply even in 2050. 'Nevertheless,' Hermann continues, 'the population does not consider the complete achievement of the net-zero target realistic. Accordingly, they come to the honest conclusion that fossil fuels will also play an important role in 2050.'
For the study, a total of 1,887 people were surveyed between August 20 and September 3, 2025. The results are representative of the Swiss-German and French-speaking population of Switzerland over the age of 18.
For inquiries:
**Ueli Bamert**
Head of Communications and Policy
Avenergy Suisse
Spitalgasse 5,
8001 Zurich
T: +41 44 218 50 10
M: +41 79 742 60 21
bamert@avenergy.ch
**Avenergy Suisse**
Spitalgasse 5
8001 Zurich
Tel. +41 44 218 50
10
info@avenergy.ch