Bilateral climate protection agreement Ghana – Switzerland

On 23 November 2020, Ghana and Switzerland signed an agreement for the implementation of climate mitigation activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This bilateral agreement between Ghana and Switzerland governs cooperation between the two countries and establishes the legal framework for the implementation of climate mitigation activities. Emission reductions achieved with Swiss funding are transferred in accordance with the bilateral agreement and used toward meeting Switzerland’s emission reduction target under the Paris Agreement.

The Foundation for Climate Protection and Carbon Offset (KliK) is tasked with reducing around 40 million tonnes of CO₂e abroad until 2030. It thereby fulfils the legal obligation of Swiss motor fuel importers to offset roughly half of carbon emissions caused by the Swiss transportation sector. The KliK Foundation supports climate mitigation activities in Ghana and other countries that have signed a bilateral climate protection agreement with Switzerland.

The revised Swiss CO₂ Act stipulates that motor fuel importers, i.e. the KliK Foundation as their carbon offset grouping, must also reduce greenhouse gas emissions abroad by means of climate mitigation activities. Over the period 2022–2030, an anticipated 40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂) must be reduced by means of international activities.

Switzerland’s pledge under the Paris Agreement

The revised Swiss CO₂ Act stipulates that motor fuel importers, i.e. the KliK Foundation as their carbon offset grouping, must also reduce greenhouse gas emissions abroad by means of climate mitigation activities. Over the period 2022–2030, an anticipated 40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂) must be reduced by means of international activities.

Paris agreement

Bilateral climate protection agreement with Switzerland

The revised Swiss CO₂ Act stipulates that motor fuel importers, i.e. the KliK Foundation as their carbon offset grouping, must also reduce greenhouse gas emissions abroad by means of climate mitigation activities. Over the period 2022–2030, an anticipated 40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents (CO₂) must be reduced by means of international activities.

Bilateral climate protection agreement

Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO)

The agreement defines Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), a term introduced under the Paris Agreement. However, no tradable ITMO units are generated and transferred between countries under the bilateral agreement. Instead, both countries plan to issue attestations for tradable resp. transferred emission reductions at national level on the basis of an authorisation. The bilateral agreement governs the recognition of ITMOs by the signatory states and ensures the avoidance of double counting by means of a harmonised accounting method.