Fact Check: This is the first CO2 storage agreement between two countries.

Fact Check: "This is the first CO2 storage agreement between two countries."

What We Know

On April 15, 2025, Switzerland and Norway signed a bilateral agreement for the future storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) under the North Sea. This agreement establishes the legal framework for the cross-border transport and storage of CO2, which is a significant step in international climate policy efforts (source-2). The press release from both countries claims that this is the first agreement of its kind between two countries, focusing on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and cross-border CO2 storage (CCS) (source-2).

However, this claim contradicts previous agreements made between other countries. Notably, Denmark, Flanders, and Belgium entered into a specific arrangement in 2022 that allows for the transportation of CO2 between these countries for permanent geological storage. This arrangement is recognized as the world's first bilateral agreement for such purposes (source-4, source-1).

Analysis

The assertion that the agreement between Switzerland and Norway is the first of its kind is misleading. While it may be the first formal agreement specifically between these two nations, it is not the first international CO2 storage agreement overall. The arrangement between Denmark, Flanders, and Belgium, which was finalized in 2022, is recognized as the first international framework for the transportation and storage of CO2 across borders (source-4, source-1).

The credibility of the sources reporting on the agreement between Switzerland and Norway is strong, as it comes from official government press releases and reputable news outlets. However, the claim made in the press release appears to overlook existing agreements, which raises questions about the thoroughness of the information provided by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and Norway’s Ministry of Energy (source-2).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the agreement between Switzerland and Norway is the first CO2 storage agreement between two countries is inaccurate. It is essential to recognize that Denmark, Flanders, and Belgium had already established a similar agreement in 2022, making the assertion misleading. The context and existing agreements should be acknowledged to provide a complete understanding of international efforts in CO2 storage.

Sources

1. Pioneering cross-border CO2 storage begins in Danish waters
2. Switzerland and Norway sign CO2 storage deal
3. World's first agreement to ship CO2 - Maritime Professionals
4. World's first agreement to ship CO2 - Maritime Professionals
5. First CO2 storage in the North Sea
6. Northern Lights Project Signs World's First Commercial Agreement
7. World-first agreement made for transport of captured CO2
8. Carbon, Capture, and Storage: History, Current State, and Obstacles