Switzerland has set itself an ambitious goal: reaching net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. A recently published final report from the POLIZERO project, led by the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the University of Piraeus, shows that this target is realistic – but only if decisive action is taken in this decade.
The research team examined more than 2,000 European policy initiatives, modeled different development pathways, and tested twelve policy packages that included subsidies, carbon taxes, emissions trading, and binding regulations. Their aim was to place Switzerland’s energy transition in a European context and identify which measures are most effective.
Key insights from POLIZERO
The next ten years are crucial. Fossil technologies must be replaced quickly with clean alternatives such as district heating, solar power (tripled capacity), and electric mobility. Scaling after 2035. Around 12 TWh of wind and bioenergy and 25 TWh of synthetic fuels (produced either biogenically or as e-fuels from renewable electricity) will likely be needed. In addition, capturing 6–10 million tons of CO₂ from waste and industry each year is seen as an important contribution. Stronger regulations. Subsidies help in the early phase, but after 2035 emissions trading, legal requirements (e.g. replacing old heating systems), and rules for CO₂ use and export will become increasingly important. Balancing national and European measures. Switzerland should combine credible domestic policies with closer coordination with the EU. Aligning with the EU Green Deal proved particularly robust in the simulations, especially under geopolitical uncertainty.
Implications for Power-to-X
The study highlights the essential role of Power-to-X technologies in Switzerland’s future energy system. Synthetic fuels and e-fuels produced from renewable electricity are expected to cover a significant share of the country’s energy demand, especially during winter and in sectors that are hard to electrify, such as aviation. Alongside renewable expansion and carbon capture, Power-to-X solutions form a central pillar of the modeled pathways to climate neutrality.
A flexible path forward
Rather than one perfect plan, POLIZERO identifies three robust policy pathways: all begin with subsidies and moderate EU alignment until 2035, followed by stronger EU integration and more regulation while subsidies are phased out. What matters most is that Switzerland defines a long-term strategy now, while keeping enough flexibility to adapt and scale measures as conditions change.
The message is clear: net zero by 2050 is achievable – if decisions in this decade set the right course.