Did you know that glaciers inspired Climeworks' carbon removal mission?
When Climeworks co-founders Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher met as mechanical engineering students at ETH Zurich, they shared more than an academic passion. Both were avid mountaineers who spent their free time exploring the Swiss Alps. Yet, these adventures were more than recreational; they provided a firsthand look at climate change in action.
We realized that excess carbon dioxide was literally reshaping the landscapes we cherish," recalls Christoph. "Standing at the edge of glaciers that had visibly retreated since our previous visits was a visceral experience."
As engineers, they asked themselves: Could we develop a solution to address the root cause of this retreat—excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
That question led to deep research and development, and to the founding of Climeworks in 2009. Today, our Zurich headquarters features meeting rooms named after Swiss glaciers—Aletsch, Morteratsch, and Kanderfirn to name a few—constant reminders of our founding mission.
Switzerland: a climate change observatory
Few places illustrate the effects of climate change as starkly as the Swiss Alps. The Great Aletsch Glacier—the largest in the Alps and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site—has retreated more than 3 kilometers since measurements began in 1870. It has also lost over a kilometer in ice thickness.
These changes aren't just aesthetic. Glaciologists refer to mountain glaciers as "water towers" because they store winter precipitation and release it gradually in warmer months, providing essential freshwater to millions across Europe. As they disappear, water security becomes increasingly uncertain.
International Year of Glaciers' Preservation
The urgency of glacier preservation is recognized on the global stage. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and established March 21st as the World Day for Glaciers.
Led by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization, these initiatives aim to raise awareness of:
The critical role glaciers play in the global climate system
Their function in the hydrological cycle
The economic, social, and environmental consequences of their loss
This milestone underscores what our founders saw firsthand: glaciers are essential indicators of our planet's health—we need them and they need our protection now.
Beyond reducing carbon dioxide emissions
While cutting emissions remains vital, climate science confirms that we must also remove existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The latest IPCC reports highlight that limiting warming to 1.5°C requires both deep emissions reductions and large-scale carbon removal.
High-quality carbon removal solutions are crucial, including:
Nature-based approaches like reforestation and biochar
Technological solutions such as enhanced rock weathering and Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS)
At Climeworks, we pioneered Direct Air Capture technology to remove carbon permanently, while also supporting a portfolio approach to high-quality carbon removal.
From observation to action
The retreating glaciers serve as both a warning and a call to action. Every ton of CO₂ we remove helps protect the landscapes that sparked Climeworks' journey, secures freshwater resources for future generations and fosters a resilient economy today. As we mark the first World Day for Glaciers, we invite individuals, small businesses, and large corporations to take part in this crucial mission.
