According to Switzerland's long-term climate strategy an estimated 12 million tonnes of CO2 annually must be stored with CCS and NETs by 2050, which is almost 30% of Switzerland's current greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the Federal Council estimates that international aviation will require up to two million tonnes of negative emissions per year in 2050. The relevant legislation and incentives are continuously developed in order to encourage the expansion of these necessary technologies.
Various measures have already been implemented or adopted to boost the expansion of CCS and NETs in the pioneering phase up to 2030. The Climate and Innovation Act (CIA), in force since January 2025, provides funding for innovative technologies and processes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the capture, removal and storage of carbon. To benefit from this funding, companies must draw up a net-zero decarbonisation roadmap to reduce their emissions and setting out the measures that are to receive funding.
Companies taking part in the Emissions Trading System (ETS) can account for CCS, as in the EU. This increases the financial incentives for investors.
In 2022 the CO2 Act introduced certification (i.e. the issuance of attestations) for carbon storage projects. Project developers can trade these attestations to cover project costs.
A factsheet provides a comprehensive overview of the current legislation:
Climate policy and the rules on CCS and NETs will be further developed for the period after 2030. It is expected that the Federal Council will open the consultation process in the second quarter of 2026 at the latest.
Further information
Last modification 20.08.2025
