24.4.2025

Sweco examines the potential of carbon dioxide removal methods through societal perspectives

Sweco leads a comprehensive project that explores the potential of carbon dioxide removal from both technical and societal contexts, building on state-of-the-art data and research, and utilizing citizen and stakeholder consultations. The project is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2025. The client for this work is Carbon Cap Ltd.

Carbon dioxide removal methods are being examined in Finland, Germany, and Poland. The goal of the project is to create comprehensive background reports on the possibilities and potential of carbon dioxide removal in each country.

Technical analysis is enriched with societal perspectives

The project examines approximately fourteen different carbon removal methods. As a result of the comprehensive review, the theoretical potential of the carbon dioxide that can be removed will be quantified. The analysis is supported by a citizen panel and stakeholder interviews, which will provide an understanding of society’s readiness to increase the deployment of carbon dioxide removal methods. The citizen panel included in the project will be organized in late spring, and details about participation will be communicated closer to the event. The stakeholder interview round will cover key ministries, organizations, agencies, and research institutions.

By combining the societal context and the calculated theoretical potential, an understanding of how much carbon dioxide can realistically be removed is obtained. In Finland, the analysis will also be complemented by a roadmap to achieve this potential, which will be prepared in collaboration with stakeholders.

“Finding out how much carbon dioxide removal can be deployed at country level in Europe, and what it would take to put it into action is key to inform national and EU policy planning. Carbon Gap’s Carbon Removal Readiness Assessments provide bottom-up analyses to answer these key questions. We are thrilled to partner with SWECO to deliver this project in Finland, Germany and Poland in 2025”, says Sylvain Delerce, director of Research & Innovation in Carbon Gap.

“There is an urgent need to slow down climate change, and in addition to emission reductions, carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere is necessary to mitigate global warming. There are several different methods for carbon dioxide removal, and they have not been comprehensively examined before. It is important to assess carbon dioxide removal methods from a societal perspective as the adoption of these methods is influenced by the country’s politics, legislation, and other societal contexts. It is great to be able to make assessments regarding Germany and Poland together with the local colleagues”, says Heini Vassinen, Sweco’s sustainability consultant.

For additional information, please contact:
Heini Vassinen, Head of Energy & Industry Advisor, Sweco tel. +358 40 7495885, heini.vassinen@sweco.fi
Tiina Varhee, press contact, Sweco, tel. 040 723 1231 ext. tiina.varhee@sweco.fi