Carbon dioxide removal for Swiss emissions: A danger or a challenge?

Switzerland is becoming one of the pioneering countries in research and policy of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The country, like many others, considers CDR a necessary measure to tackle residual emissions and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, methods face challenges in reaching the scale at which they are climate relevant: While many scenarios limiting warming to 1.5 °C or 2 °C require large amounts of removals, novel methods currently provide only a small fraction (0.002 GtCO₂/year) (Smith et al, 2023). Some affirm that CDR is an 'uphill struggle' -a field in which technical and socio-ecological challenges have and can be tackled to contribute achieve net zero emissions-, while others believe that CDR is a 'slippery slope': an overoptimistic idea, considering natural and social limits, that can lead to distraction of the need to implement other measures for rapid decarbonization (Bellamy & Healey, 2018). These discussions show that much is at stake about the future of CDR and its role in balancing Swiss emissions. In my doctoral thesis I aim to contribute to the reflection on the desirable role and shape of CDR for an effective and equitable net zero. I aim to do so by critically analysing the expectations of Swiss actors around CDR; understanding the social dynamics shaping the implementation of an international CDR and CCS project in Iceland; and providing a platform for Swiss actors to discuss alternative futures. I use a qualitative research approach, employing methods such as interviews, document analysis, focus groups, and participant observation across my studies. My work will contribute to the discussion and further development of CDR and to the Swiss climate policy by bringing order to the CDR debate, questioning unquestioned assumptions, and opening new avenues for actors debating and implementing CDR.