Interactive Workshop: Simulating an Expert Hearing on Climate Protection at the Swiss Parliament

Do you want to understand how climate policies are developed and adapted in the Swiss parliament — and which role experts with various backgrounds, such as NGOs, industry or science, play in this process? Then this workshop is for you: over the course of half a day, you will experience a mix of short input lectures and an interactive, immersive simulation. Participants take on different roles in a reenacted expert hearing of the Environment, Spatial planning and Energy committee of the Council of States of the Swiss parliament.

Introductory inputs provide an overview of the Swiss political system, the role of expertise within it, and effective communication strategies—setting the stage for the following simulation. This simulation revolves around a hypothetical amendment to the federal Climate and Innovation Law, which has been in force since early 2025. You’ll step into the shoes of politicians and experts to experience firsthand the challenges of lawmaking. How can experts condensate their knowledge into concise, policy-relevant insights? How can politicians navigate a vast and complex evidence base, reconcile diverging interests and values, meet international commitments, and ensure feasible implementation in Switzerland? Will your group manage to craft the perfect formulation for Switzerland’s next climate law by the end of the workshop?

Participants will concretely experience first-hand the interplay between politicians and experts by enacting a parliamentary hearing on the topic of climate protection in Switzerland.

• You gain a deep and practical understanding of the legislative process and of the interplay between the national and the cantonal level in Switzerland.

• You will better understand the role of expert advice in the political process and gain insight into the science-policy interface.

• You experience the different points of views of stakeholders (different parties, different expert groups) and can test your messaging.

• You will be better prepared for potential interactions with policymakers and can identify leverage points in the political system for your own work in order to focus your activities for impact.

The workshop is designed for professionals from all backgrounds and areas of expertise (industry, NGO, academia, etc.) who want to better understand the legislative process in Switzerland. Participants will be provided with the necessary material and content, no prior experience or knowledge about the Swiss political process nor the current Swiss climate and innovation law is required. If you are curious about how decisions on climate topics are made at a parliamentary level in Switzerland and are interested in hands-on learning, then this workshop is for you!