The Swiss National Bank (SNB) fuels the climate crisis. By investing billions in oil, gas and coal, it doubles Switzerland's CO2-footprint. Major shareholders of the SNB are the 26 Swiss cantons. By organising the Tour de Climat campaign, Campax asked them to stand up to their responsibility. With a good crowd of activists, we cycled from canton to canton and delivered a petition to every single one of the 26 finance ministers, asking them to take action for a divestment. By doing this, we attracted considerable attention of the local and national media and established a new topic in the canton's politics. In addition, and maybe even more importantly, we brought together climate activists from all parts of the country and all language regions, which led to countless new contacts and friendships.
Facts and Figures
The Tour the Climat was the largest project Campax has ever organised. Here are some figures:
- 14 August – 18 September 2021
- 36 days, 35 nights
- 332 participants
- 1,471 km cycled
- 14,011 altitude metres climbed
- 26 petition handovers
- 3 banner hangings (Martinsloch, Rheinfall, Jungfraujoch)
- 0 accidents
- 10 flat tyres
- 74 media reports (or more), 849 photos on Flickr (see the best of) and a dozen videos on Vimeo
- Innumerable new friendships
Tour de Climat in the Media
A Resounding Success!
Throughout the Tour, we attracted the attention of national and local media in every Swiss cantonal capital.
Teleticino (regional TV station in Ticino) – News on the Tour de Climat and Interview with Campax Campaigner Iared Camponovo (in Italian), 16.9.2021
Appenzell Ausserrhoden & Appenzell Innerrhoden, 15th August
On this sunny Sunday morning, we cycled towards Appenzell Ausserrhoden. When we arrived in Herisau, we looked for a nice place for lunch. A local baker spontaneously invited us to use the tables and chairs of his closed café for our picnic and even served us cool drinks. What a lovely welcome!
A little later we arrived in Appenzell, where we were able to hand over the petition directly to the Finance Director. He took the time to discuss with us and everyone was able to present their concerns and ask him questions. A great experience for all participants!
In the evening we were invited to dinner by two Campax members. A wonderful evening with the best food in a beautiful garden.
St. Gallen, 16th August
In St. Gallen, the petition was not received by the finance minister personally, but only by the state chancellery. Some participants were a little frustrated and pessimistic because they didn't believe that this campaign will make a difference in the canton of St. Gallen. Nevertheless, it is always worth a try!
Thurgau, 17th August
In Frauenfeld we went to the cantonal administration to hand over the petition. At the reception desk the secretary told us that they were not ready to receive the petition – this despite the fact that we had a written request from the finance director to hand in the petition at the reception desk, as he himself was in a meeting. After some time, we were able to hand over the petition to the director's secretary.
Schaffhausen, 18th August - Banner Action at the Rheinfall
Schaffhausen, 19th August
The petition handover in Schaffhausen attracted a lot of media interest: Teletop, Radio Munot and Schaffhauser Nachrichten sent representatives.
Aargau, 20th August
On our way to Aarau, we faced some obstacles: In addition to our first flat tyre, we also lost several participants for a short time. Fortunately they soon found their way back to the group.
Basel Land & Basel Stadt, 21st August
On this day, we delivered two petitions. First in Basel Landschaft and then in Basel Stadt. We were supported by many activists from the Collective Climate Justice, Basel2030 and Extinction Rebellion Basel. Thank you!
Jura, 22nd August
No rest for us! On that cloudy Sunday, we delivered a petition to the finance minister's letterbox in the Jura. There were about 20 participants at the handover. Despite the rain, we pedalled tirelessly up the mountains of the beautiful canton.
Solothurn, 23rd August
In Solothurn, we first went to the Zytturm, where we took some terrific photos. There we were treated to coffee and homemade cake by Noemi, a Campax member who lives right next door. What a nice surprise!
After the delivery of the petition, we took a break on the banks of the River Aare before cycling all the way to Bern. There, we were invited for dinner by the VCS. The next day we took a break. In the evening, we were invited for dinner by Campax-Member Urs – thank you for the pleasant evening!
Bern & Fribourg, 25th August
Accompanied by over 25 activists, we then handed over the Campax petition to the canton of Bern. Bern is the canton with the most shares in the SNB, so it carries a lot of weight! Natalie Imboden, President of the Green Party of Bern, was also present and said a few words about the responsibility of the Canton of Bern. After that, we headed of to Fribourg.
Neuchâtel, 26th August
In Neuchâtel, a television crew greeted us, and our group leader, Nora, gave an interview – in French. The ride along the lake was especially beautiful!
Geneva, 28th August
When we arrived in Geneva at the Jet d'Eau, we were warmly welcomed by members of the BreakFree Collective, the Grève pour l'Avenir and representatives of the Greens, the SP and SolidaritéS.
In the evening, we sat by the fire at the house of the Genevan scouts, where we spent the night.
Waadt, 30th-31st August
We arrived in Lausanne in the afternoon of the 30th august. After the delivery of the petition, we were invited to a short city-tour, a apéro at the lakeside and a dinner at the youthhostel. Thank you, Christine, Alain and Les Verts Vaudoises!
The next day, we rode to Wallis, an exceptionally beautiful ride through the vineyards of the Lavaux. We made a break at the Chillon castle, where some of us even went for a swim!
When we arrived in Monthey, Campax-member Séverine served us a delicious dinner from the cooperative QAP. Thank you so much!
Wallis, 1st September
This day, we rode through Lower Wallis (Valais) on a scenic path along the Rhone. A route with a slight, steady incline, but very pleasant to ride along. We could admire the vineyards on both sides of the valley.
Wallis, 2nd September
Another beautiful trail took us from Salgesch to Brig. Fortunately, we found some diversions through the vineyards – it was worth it!
Wallis, 4th September
The first stage with more than 1,000 metres of altitude! And that included the handcycle! The way to Ernen and then on through the Goms was exhausting, but very rewarding. The Roman bridge ahead of Ernen, the village of Ernen itself and the suspension bridge near Mühlebach were particularly beautiful. The district of Goms in general, with its charming, traditional villages, is truly impressive.
Nufenenpass, 5th September
The Nufenen Pass! We tackled thecomparatively steep pass as a small but strong group. From a sporting point of view it was quite manageable for everyone, but the experience was marred by the many cars and especially motorbikes that sped past us. Really not a nice experience!
Tessin, 6th September
We started the day with a quite multilingual group of German-speaking Swiss, French-speaking Swiss and Ticino Italian-speaking Swiss – led by Iared, our Ticino Italian-speaker within the Campax office. "I couldn't remember whether to speak German, Italian, French, Spanish or English," said one participant. "But everyone had loads of fun and I really enjoyed the day."
Graubünden, 10th September
Another eventful couple of days on the Tour de Climat came to an end. From Spluegen through Schams and the Viamala, this day's route took us to Felsberg, where we were invited for coffee and cake at the Quadrel Bouldering Gym. Then it was onwards to picturesque Arcas in Chur, where the Climate Strike Graubünden, VCS Graubünden and representatives of the Freie Liste Verda welcomed us for a photo session.
In the evening, we were invited to dinner by Campax members Christina & Martin – thank you!
Glarus, 12th September
The path along the Walensee offered a most particular challenge: dodging all the tiny and medium-sized lizards that wanted to sun themselves on the black asphalt. Some braking was necessary for this, but it was also a nice sign that there are so many of the cute little animals.
With a stiff headwind, we then headed up the Linth-Escher canal embankment into Glarus, where three quarters of an hour later we proudly introduced ourselves at the Landsgemeindeplatz and handed over the petition to the finance minister himself.
Schwyz, 13th September
The 20 participants in this day's stage of the Tour were rewarded with a breathtaking view after the first steep climb, when they reached the level of the Klöntalersee. That had only been a foretaste, however. The second part of the climb, over the Pragelspass, was a really tough one for almost everyone. The motto of the day was thus "Sweat for the Climate".
Uri, 14th September
The route from Schwyz to Uri was very impressive. After a coffee break in beautiful Sisikon, we rode to Flüelen. The ride on the Axenstrasse was so bad because of the traffic that we decided to take the boat for this section on the way back to Meierskappel. When we arrived in Küssnacht, we were invited to dinner by the SP Küssnacht – thank you!
Obwalden & Nidwalden, 15th September
Today we were particularly busy on the Tour de Climat because two petitions were handed over at the same time: One at the State Chancellery in Sarnen and the other at the government building in Stans!
Luzern, 17th September
On our way to Lucerne we discovered a particularly scenic route along the lake thanks to some participants who are familiar with the region. We rode up and down hills, again working up quite a sweat.
At the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) we stopped for a quick photo shoot to record our message to the Canton of Lucerne: #DecarbonizeTheNationalBank!
Zug & Zurich, 18th September
This morning we set off from Zug. Our first stop was at the Zytturm for another quick photo session. Very soon after we had a another flat tyre, but after a quick patch up we were on the road again in no time!
The road to Zurich was beautiful, but quite bumpy and muddy in places. We finally arrived shortly after 3pm - happy that everything had gone well; but at the same time sad that the tour was over.
In Zurich we ended the tour with drinks and appetisers in the Klimapavillon and looked back on the past 36 days we had spent together. Viva!
Bern, 24th September – Action at the Conference of the Cantonal Finance Ministers
The last act of the Tour de Climat! This morning, the Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors met in Bern. We stood in front of the entrance to the conference hall and held up all 26 banners of the Tour de Climat. In doing so, we reminded the finance directors once again of our demand to ensure that the National Bank no longer invests in fossil energies.
Thanks to everyone who made this unforgettable experience happen!
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