Carbon storage: Federal Councillor Albert Rösti on working visit to Norway
Berna, 12.06.2025 — Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will travel to Norway on 16 and 17 June to strengthen bilateral cooperation on carbon storage. The programme includes signing a bilateral agreement and visiting companies operating in the field of carbon capture and storage.
Under its Climate and Innovation Act, Switzerland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This will be achieved primarily through emission reductions. However, some emissions are difficult to avoid, for example from the cement industry, waste treatment and aviation: the plan now is to store these emissions. The federal government is promoting the use of such technologies.
As the potential for carbon storage in Switzerland is limited, the country is seeking access to carbon storage sites abroad. Norway leads the field in this area. During his working visit, Mr Rösti will therefore sign a bilateral agreement on carbon storage in Oslo with Norway's Minister of Energy Terje Aasland. This will enable the export and storage of Swiss carbon dioxide in Norway, as well as trade in negative emissions. The Federal Council approved the agreement at its meeting on 6 June. Mr Rösti, who heads the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), will be accompanied by a delegation of business representatives. He will also discuss carbon storage technologies with his counterparts from other countries.