Change the World 2026
Founded in 2009, the Switzerland-based Climeworks AG defines the direct air-capture category. It built and operates a direct air-capture modular plant, which gathers atmospheric carbon with a filter, using low-grade heat as an energy source. Its technology offers an on-site supply of CO2 for various applications, including greenhouse fertilization, alkaline wastewater treatment, and CO2 cleaning. Climeworks is eligible to receive up to 600 million in government funding for its Project Cypress direct air capture hub. Its direct-air capture process consists of three steps: CO2 capture, CO2 release, and CO2 storage.