Episode 32: Navigating the Future of Carbon Capture with Christoph Gebald

In this episode of our Sustainability Talks podcast, our Managing Partner Patrick Sheehan sits down with Christoph Gebald, CEO & Founder of Climeworks, the global leader in carbon dioxide removal. Together, they explore how direct air capture (DAC) is evolving from academic research to a commercially viable climate solution — and why it’s becoming indispensable in the race to net zero.

With over 15 years of experience building DAC technologies, Christoph shares how Climeworks is scaling the science of carbon removal into a business poised to operate at gigaton scale by 2050. Recognised by TIME as one of the most innovative leaders in climate action, he brings unique insight into the intersection of engineering precision, commercial ambition, and climate urgency.

In this episode, we cover:

• What direct air capture is — and why it matters now more than ever
• The evolution of DAC from lab-scale prototypes to large-scale plants
• Key breakthroughs and cost-reduction strategies shaping the field
• The role of corporate partnerships in driving early adoption
• Financing climate infrastructure and aligning with impact investors
• How Europe’s regulatory leadership is shaping global carbon markets
• What it takes to turn climate science into scalable business models

“We’re no longer just inventing technology — we’re building the foundations of a trillion-dollar industry.

Why it matters:

Direct air capture is one of the few climate technologies that can physically remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. But making it economically viable requires innovation not just in engineering — but in business models, market design, and policy alignment. This episode dives into all three, offering valuable perspectives for investors, corporates, policymakers, and climate tech founders alike.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Direct Air Capture and Its Importance

03:02 The Need for Mechanical Solutions in Carbon Removal

05:59 Scaling Technology and Cost Reduction in Direct Air Capture

08:59 Energy Consumption and Sustainability in Carbon Capture

11:55 Market Dynamics and Business Models for Carbon Removal

14:59 Cost Reduction Pathways and Future Projections

17:56 Building a Business in the Carbon Removal Space

25:23 The Trillion Dollar Climate Industry

26:22 Understanding Customer Needs in Carbon Credits

27:50 From Technology to Full Solutions

28:37 The Role of Corporate Partnerships

31:29 Navigating Market Volatility

35:31 Europe’s Market Dynamics and Regulation

39:34 Optimism for the Future of Carbon Capture

About Christoph Gebald 

Dr. Christoph Gebald is CEO & Founder of Climeworks, the global leader in carbon removal. With over 15 years of experience in direct air capture technology, Christoph is considered a pioneer in this growing and crucial industry. Under his leadership, Climeworks has developed groundbreaking direct air capture plants that physically remove CO2 from the atmosphere, working toward the ambitious goal of removing carbon dioxide on a gigaton scale by 2050.

Recognised by TIME as one of the 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action, Christoph brings a mechanical engineer’s precision and a visionary’s outlook to the challenge of climate change. 

Christoph is a mechanical engineer (ETH Zürich and UC Berkeley) and holds an MSc with distinction and a PhD from ETH Zürich. 

Find out more about Climeworks HERE. 

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