H2O transport mechanisms across the AEM are initiated by the presence of an applied potential and are dictated by electroosmotic drag. Further movement into the GDL is dictated by diffusion due to the negligibly small potential drop in this region and the initially dry conditions. Using a humidified cathode CO2 gas stream, no driving force was observed to remove H2O from the macro-porous layer. This phenomenon presents a significant challenge in zero-gap CO2 electrolyzers, as it leads to flooding, limits the CO2 transport, and consequently results in undesired HER. This underscores the complexities of H2O removal once it reaches the cathode and highlights the critical role of integrated system H2O management, as manipulating operating conditions alone proves challenging for effective H2O control.