Chancen und Risiken von Methoden zur Entnahme und Speicherung von CO2 aus der Atmosphäre

Empfehlungen aufgrund der Analyse des Wissensstandes und einer systematischen Befragung von Fachleuten in der Schweiz

In order to support the global, long-term climate goals and contribute towards the limitation of global warming to 1.5° C, on 28 August 2019 the Federal Council adopted a resolution aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This means that, by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from sources in Switzerland must be in equilibrium with available greenhouse gas sinks. This target is primarily to be achieved by minimising the consumption of fossil fuels. With respect to the remaining emission sources that will still be more or less unavoidable (e.g. from the agriculture sector and the cement production industry), the objective is to offset them through negative emissions. With the aid of methods such as carbon capture and storage (methods that are collectively referred to in this report as negative emission technologies), the objective is to extract CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently store it.

The opportunities and risks for Switzerland and its population regarding five negative emission technologies of relevance for Switzerland were evaluated in an inter- and transdisciplinary study on the basis of a participatory methods approach: forest management and utilisation of wood; soil management and biochar; use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS);  direct air capture and carbon sequestration (DACCS); and carbonation (accelerated weathering). The intention is to facilitate a knowledgeable and fact-based social debate on the use of negative emission technologies and foster a sustainable approach to the technologies examined in Switzerland.