Review and outlook: The fourth general assembly of the Swiss Carbon Removal Platform
On November 26, 2024, our fourth CDR Swiss General Assembly took place - an inspiring meeting that provided space for reflection, input, exchange and future planning.
Fig. 1: Lively discussions among members during speed dating.
At the beginning of the general assembly, the CDR Swiss team presented the highlights and successes of 2024. The addition of 10 new members was particularly pleasing, further strengthening our growing community. In addition, two exciting webinars enriched the year: “CDR policy in Germany and EU vs. US” and “CDR markets: buyers and investors” provided valuable insights and encouraged discussion.
There was also plenty of opportunity for personal exchange: CDR Booster workshops and apéros at First Climate and ETH sus.lab created opportunities to network and develop new ideas. The Innovation and Policy Working Groups also made important progress. In spring, the Policy Working Group gathered the needs of the cantons around CDR and submitted statements on the consultations on the Climate Protection Ordinance and the CO2 Act - a further step towards advancing CDR politically. The day also offered valuable content in terms of expertise. Key highlights of the event included:
A fascinating presentation by Björn Niesen (Empa) on the "Mining the Atmosphere" research initiative
Björn Niesen presented innovative approaches on how CO₂ can be extracted directly from the atmosphere and converted into valuable materials. He explained how technologies such as Direct Air Capture (DAC) filter CO₂ from the air to make it usable for industrial processes. One key aspect was the use of the CO₂ obtained to produce synthetic methane and other carbon compounds, which have a wide range of applications - for example as an energy source or in the construction industry.
The aim is not only to remove carbon from the atmosphere, but also to store it in the long term - for example in the form of carbon black, which is used as an additive in concrete. This not only binds CO₂, but also contributes to the development of sustainable building materials. The presentation impressively demonstrated how innovative technologies and interdisciplinary approaches can contribute to the creation of a sustainable circular economy and climate protection.
Fig. 2: Björn Niesen (Empa) speaking about "Mining the Athmosphere".
Panel discussion: Social acceptance of CDR infrastructure
The presentation was followed by a stimulating panel discussion on the social acceptance of CDR infrastructure, moderated by Samuel Eberenz (CDR Swiss /Risiko Dialog). Juanita von Rothkirch (ETH Zurich TdLab), Lisa Hämmerli (Canton of Aargau) and Leandro de Angelis (WWF) highlighted the crucial role of public support for the development and expansion of infrastructure for CO₂ removal, logistics and storage. The discussion focused on questions such as how cantonal administration’s approach the issue of CDR and what we can learn for Switzerland from research on public reaction to the storage of foreign CO2 in Iceland. The panel thus offered valuable insights into how dialog, transparency and participation can promote the acceptance of such technologies.
Fig. 3: Panel with (from left) Samuel Eberenz (CDR Swiss / Risk Dialogue), Juanita von Rothkirch (ETH Zurich Td Lab), Lisa Hämmerli (Canton of Aargau) and Leonardo de Angelis (WWF).
The member assembly once again underlined the importance of joint exchange and cooperation for the further development of carbon dioxide removal in Switzerland. We look forward to a successful year 2025 and the next steps we will take as a community!
Blog
Member Assembly 2024
KontaktNorma De Min and Nicolas Solenthaler, Risk-Dialog FoundationReview and outlook: The fourth general assembly of the Swiss Carbon Removal PlatformOn November 26, 2024, our fourth CDR Swiss General Assembly took place - an inspiring meeting that provided space for reflection, input, exchange and future planning.Fig. 1: Lively discussions among members during speed dating. At the […]
CDR Swiss Webinar CDR market – buyers and investors
Contact usSamuel Eberenz and Nicole Blasko, Risk-Dialog foundationCDR Swiss Webinar: Buyers and Investors Shaping the Future of Carbon RemovalOn October 31, the CDR Swiss platform hosted this year’s second webinar on the CDR Market – A buyers and investors perspective. We were blessed to receive valuable inputs from Karen Strassel, Senior Science Associate at Carbon […]
CDR Swiss Webinar EU vs. US and DE
KontaktNicolas Solenthaler and Nicole Blasko, Risk-Dialog FoundationOn Tuesday, June 11, 2024, we concluded an insightful CDR Swiss webinar on a policy comparison between the EU vs. US, and an input on the German CDR landscape. We then discussed in break-out groups, amongst others, the implications for Switzerland. We were delighted to have Alexis Dunand from […]
KlV Consulation Response from CDR Swiss
Contact usNicolas Solenthaler and Samuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialog FoundationAs the largest CDR platform in Switzerland, consisting of 60+ member organizations from various sectors, the Swiss Carbon Removal Platform decided to respond to the consultation on the Climate Protection Ordinance (KlV). In a collaborative process with committed members from consulting, industry, research and civil society, positions and […]
CDR Swiss Policy White Paper
Contact usSamuel Eberenz, Nicolas Solenthaler and Kristina Koch, Risk DialogueClimate and Innovation Act, pilot projects, financing rounds: There is a get-up-and-go attitude in Switzerland when it comes to carbon dioxide removal (CDR). But there is also still a lot to be done before approaches that remove CO2 from the atmosphere can live up to the […]
2023 Clean Energy Transition Platform CETP – funding opportunity
Contact usLaura Angst and Kristina Koch, Risk-Dialogue FoundationWe would like to draw your attention to a promising funding opportunity in the field of CCUS/CCS.The 2023 Clean Energy Transition Platform CETP aims to facilitate the emergence of CO2 Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies via funding of transnational projects. More specifically, this call intends to attract […]
The Swiss Climate Act vote 2023 – policy at a crossroads
Contact usAlexis Dunand: Carbon Gap, Samuel Eberenz: Risk DialogueFoundation and Swiss Carbon Removal PlatformUpdate: The Climate and Innovation Act was approved in the June 18, 2023 referendum. This blog entry was written before the vote and is no longer updated.On June 18, the Swiss People will vote on a crucial piece of legislation: the Swiss […]
CDR Swiss Webinar: US policy and maritime CDR
Contact usSamuel Eberenz & Kristina Koch, Risk-Dialogue Foundation The recording of the CDR Swiss Webinar with Frances Wang from ClimateWorks Foundation and Dr. Sifang Chen from Carbon180 on March 16, 2023 is now available online. Below, please find more information about the content of the webinar and the two guest speakers Frances Wang and Dr. […]
Removing CO2 from the air?- Information brochure
KontaktSamuel Eberenz, Kristina Koch & Isis-Sophia Keller, Risiko-DialogWhat are CDR methods? Which ones are being discussed and implemented in Switzerland, and what role can they play on the road to net zero emissions? Our info brochure "Removing CO₂ from the air?" provides answers to these questions. The brochure is aimed at anyone who would like […]
Webinar: Ocean-based CDR with CDRmare
Contact usSamuel Eberenz and Kristina Koch, Risk-Dialogue FoundationArtwork: Rita ErvenThe recording of the CDR Swiss webinar with CDRmare from February 7, 2023 is now available online. Feel free to check it out if you want to learn more about ocean-based CDR and what CDRmare is up to:This webinars focus was set on marine carbon dioxide […]
Webinar: Spotlight on US policy and maritime CDR
Contact usSamuel Eberenz and Kristina Koch, Risk-Dialogue FoundationThe CDR Swiss Webinar on CDR in USA and Canada with focus on US policy and maritime CDR is taking place on Thursday, 16 March 2023, 5 to 6 pm (CET). We are looking forward to welcoming our guest speakers Frances Wang from ClimateWorks Foundation and Dr. Sifang […]
Happy Birthday, CDR Swiss!
Contact usYesterday, the Swiss Carbon Removal Platform celebrated their first birthday! During the member assembly on December 8, 2022, we could not only look back at an exciting year but also celebrate the growth of our member base to 50 organisations from administration, industry, research and civil society. 2022 was a year with a high […]
CO2 capture and storage – “2050 is coming soon”
Contact usKristina Koch and Samuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialogue FoundationOn 14 October 2022, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) invited participants to the symposium “CO2 Capture and Storage – Necessity and Pathways to Implementation”. Various representatives from the sectors of administration, business, research and politics discussed potential opportunities, challenges and risks on the topic of CO2 capture and […]
Ethical challenges of carbon removal in Switzerland
Contact usCarmela Cavegn und Samuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialogue FoundationWhat are the ethical challenges to be considered in the development of carbon dioxide removal (CDR)? What can decision-makers do? During a half-day workshop on ethical issues surrounding CDR in Switzerland on the 9th of June 2022, the Swiss Carbon Removal Platform addressed these questions with around 20 […]
CDR in the ‘Glacier Initiative’ and the CO2 Act
Contact usSamuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialogue FoundationThe legal regulation of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods in Switzerland is currently actively underway and only a few aspects have already been conclusively regulated. In this article, we provide information on the current state of regulation in Switzerland and the upcoming developments in the coming years.First of all, a list […]
Webinar: international CDR funding, markets & policy
Samuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialogue FoundationThe recording of the first webinar of the Swiss Carbon Removal Platform from May 17, 2022 is available online! Watch the video here or on Youtube.The webinar focused on international developments in CDR funding, markets and policy and was moderated by Samuel Eberenz of the Risk Dialogue Foundation. We had the pleasure of […]
Swiss government publishes roadmap for CCS and CDR
Samuel Eberenz, Risk-Dialogue FoundationThe Federal Offices for the Environment and Energy have jointly drawn up a roadmap for the expansion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and CDR methods in order to concretise the path for Switzerland towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The roadmap was approved by the Federal Council on the 18th of […]
