Summary
The Swiss Federal Council decided on 27 May 2026 to request Parliament to approve an additional credit of 27 million francs to the commitment credit "Protection against Natural Hazards 2025–2028". The cost increases result from two major projects: the Braunwald drainage tunnel in the Canton of Glarus (13 million francs additional requirement) and the resettlement project Brienz/Brinzauls in the Canton of Graubünden (18 million francs additional requirement). Parliament had originally approved 153 million francs for the period 2025–2028 in 2024; this amount has already been increased twice.
Persons
- Federal Council (collective institution; decision-making)
Topics
- Natural hazards protection
- Federal budgeting
- Cantonal financing
- Infrastructure projects
Clarus Lead
The repeated credit increases demonstrate that Switzerland systematically underestimates the costs of natural hazards protection measures. With a total of 188 million francs (161 million + 27 million additional credit) by the end of 2028, climate resilience infrastructure is becoming a growing budget factor. This development signals to decision-makers that long-term planning security for cantons and municipalities is at risk if cost estimates continue to be revised upward.
Detailed Summary
The Federal Council finances natural hazards protection measures through four-year commitment credits. The current 2025–2028 program was allocated 153 million francs in 2024. Following severe weather in summer 2024, a first increase of 4 million francs occurred (2025 annual budget), followed by a second increase of 4 million francs after the rockfall in Blatten (VS) in the 2026 annual budget. This brought the total amount to 161 million francs.
The currently requested 27 million francs cover an additional requirement of a total of 31 million francs. The Braunwald drainage tunnel (Glarus) incurs 13 million francs in additional costs, while the Brienz/Brinzauls resettlement project (Graubünden) requires 18 million francs. Of this additional requirement, only 4 million francs are covered by the existing credit. Additionally, the Federal Council increased payment credits for 2027–2028 by 21.6 million francs. Financing is split equally between the ordinary federal budget; the other half is compensated through reallocations in other environmental joint tasks. Future follow-up projects related to the Blatten rockfall have not yet been fully calculated and are not included in these figures.
Key Statements
- The Federal Council requests 27 million francs additional credit for natural hazards protection measures 2025–2028
- Two major projects are driving the cost increase: Braunwald tunnel (13 million) and Brienz/Brinzauls resettlement (18 million)
- The total budget for the four-year period rises to 188 million francs – already the third increase since 2024
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What methods does the Federal Council use to estimate costs for natural hazards projects, and why do forecasts repeatedly deviate by 4–13 million francs?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do cantons with high natural hazards risk (Glarus, Graubünden) influence prioritization and financing compared to other regions?
Causality/Alternatives: Are the increased costs primarily attributable to natural events (storms, rockfall), or do inflation, construction cost developments, and planning delays play an equally significant role?
Feasibility/Risks: How is it ensured that the Brienz/Brinzauls resettlement (18 million francs) will actually be realized if cost increases of 100 percent have already occurred?
Budget Logic: Why are follow-up projects of the Blatten rockfall (28 May 2025) not yet calculated, even though this event occurred over a year ago?
Sources
Primary Source: State Visit Poland / Natural Hazards Protection Budget – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/vG2HIZjXRRwMi4yFeykZB
Supplementary Resources:
- BAFU: Program agreements and individual projects in the field of natural hazards – https://www.bafu.admin.ch/de/programmvereinbarungen-und-einzelprojekte-im-bereich-naturgefahren
- Forest Act (SR 4.21) – Legal basis for federal contributions
Verification Status: ✓ 27.05.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 27.05.2026