Masters of Scale Rapid Response: Turning point for a climate-crisis solution, w/Climeworks' Christoph Gebald
Feb 3, 2023
Christoph Gebald, co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, is at the forefront of carbon capture technology. He discusses the groundbreaking achievement of Climeworks becoming the first certified company for removing CO2 from the air. Gebald emphasizes the importance of collaboration with investors and governments to scale this innovation globally. He reflects on the role of serendipity and resilience in navigating challenges, as well as the shift from viewing CO2 as a commodity to offering carbon removal services, highlighting a promising new direction in battling climate change.
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Direct Air Capture's Role
- Direct air capture is not a silver bullet for climate change.
- It supplements emission reductions and targets unavoidable emissions (5-10%), not replacing broader decarbonization efforts.
Scaling Carbon Capture
- Scaling carbon capture to gigaton levels depends mainly on reducing costs, not scientific breakthroughs.
- Current technology works; the focus is on optimizing deployment and further technology development.
Energy Use and Renewables
- Direct air capture, while energy-intensive, can catalyze renewable energy deployment.
- It provides a use for excess renewable energy and promotes deployment in areas with limited offtakers.