Licence CC BY 4.0 – International Energy Agency
Introduction
The 2025 CO₂ Congress, held in Bern, brought together political, economic, and scientific experts to address a major challenge: how can Carbon Capture, Utilization, Transport, and Storage (CCUTS) technologies accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050? This event highlights the urgency of adopting concrete solutions for CO₂ utilization in Switzerland.
CCUTS technologies: an essential driver of carbon neutrality
According to Daniela Decurtins, director of the Swiss Gas Industry Association (ASIG), “these technologies are essential for effectively reducing unavoidable CO₂ emissions.” The goal is ambitious: to capture and store approximately 7 million tons of CO₂ per year by 2050.
International Trends and Innovations
Flagship projects such as the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line in Canada and the Brevik cement plant in Norway demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale CCS technologies. These initiatives serve as benchmarks for Switzerland, which should draw inspiration from these models to develop its own infrastructure.
Cooperation and Regulatory Challenges
The success of CCUTS depends on cross-border cooperation, particularly regarding the construction of gas pipelines and the transport of CO₂ to storage sites abroad, as Switzerland has limited geological storage capacity. However, an appropriate regulatory framework still needs to be established to ensure the safety and efficiency of CO₂ transport, industrial use, and storage.
Economic Data and Outlook
The total cost of CCUTS technologies through 2050 is estimated at 16.3 billion Swiss francs, half of which is for carbon capture. This figure underscores the scale of the investment required, but also the potential for creating value and jobs in the sector.
Conclusion
The international expertise and practical solutions presented at the 2025 Congress confirm the relevance of the WasteOlas approach: investing in innovation, cooperation, and the local utilization of CO₂. These developments open up major market opportunities and validate WasteOlas’s strategy as a key player in the transition to a low-carbon circular economy.
License: Not specified – Swiss Gas Industry Association (ASIG)