​In order for Switzerland to achieve its 2050 net-zero goals, substantial decarbonization efforts are necessary in all sectors of the economy. Industries with large CO2 footprints are of special relevance, in particular as many of them can be considered hard-to-abate, i.e. decarbonization involves significant efforts and resources. Examples of these industries are cement and steel production, Waste-to-Energy (WtE) or the chemical industry. Given this importance for the success of the national and international decarbonization challenge, sus.lab has focused its efforts on supporting these industries to solve their biggest challenges.

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As the largest emitting industry with total emissions of approximately 4.4 million tons of CO2 per year, Swiss WtE plants have been the starting point for sus.lab's work. Commissioned by the association of Swiss WtE plants, VBSA, we investigated what could be done with CO2 contained in the Swiss waste and determined that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is the only viable solution at scale. Based on these results, we have followed up with concrete feasibility and scale-up studies. WtE carries even greater significance for Switzerland, as about half of the emissions are biogenic and thus carry potential for much-needed negative emissions.

 

Accounting for about 8 percent of Swiss annual emissions, the cement sector is another industry in need of decarbonization. Here, it is particularly the complex structure of emissions, composed of process and fuel emissions, that poses challenges. Over the last years, sus.lab has engaged with a number of industry players and will continue to support the industry on its decarbonization journey.