Since 2014, the European Earth observation programme Copernicus has provided comprehensive satellite and in-situ data on land, ocean and atmosphere monitoring, climate change, and disaster management. Switzerland already uses the freely accessible Copernicus data today, but has not formally joined the programme and therefore remains excluded from shaping it, from participating in tenders, and from certain services such as the Emergency Management Service or the Ground Motion Service. For the 2028–2034 programme period, the question of Swiss participation has resurfaced.

On behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Swiss Economics conducted a socio-economic impact assessment of environmental measures (VOBU) of the effects of Swiss accession to Copernicus. The environmental, social and economic effects of accession were analysed against two reference scenarios: the status quo of non-participation, and a scenario assuming the discontinuation of the EU's open data policy. The expected effects were assessed qualitatively and, where possible, quantitatively, using a catalogue of criteria.

Methodology

• Desk research
• VOBU based on the FOEN's catalogue of criteria in the areas of environment, society and economy
• Development of impact models and scenario comparison (accession scenario versus two reference scenarios)
• Two rounds of interviews and surveys with stakeholders from government, business and research