Q&A

Net Zero sounds like just another buzz word but is in-fact a very important term. It refers to a state in which the equivalent amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere are also being removed from of the atmosphere. This is the state at which global warming does not get worse because the volume of greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere are simultaneously being removed from the atmosphere by other means, leaving the total volume of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere unchanged. Accomplishing this state of Net Zero would open the door to changing the current trajectory of global warming and climate change.

It is important to note that Net Zero does not mean that countries, companies, and civilizations will stop emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases all together. We know that is impossible and it’s certainly not the long-term target. The goal of the Net Zero movement is to balance the emissions scales again and eventually restore the global climate to pre-climate change levels. This can only be achieved by encouraging deep and widespread cuts in emissions and simultaneously scaling up carbon sequestering and greenhouse gas removal. This is what is needed to eventually achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels and these are the steps necessary to prevent a global climate change disaster from occurring in the next 100 years.

Yes. Climate Change is a real problem with significant ramifications.  Evidence shows that our planet has been getting hotter over time, but the rate in recent years has been alarming. The warmest 20 years on record have been in the last 22 years according to the World Meteorological Organisation and recently many records have been broken. Global average temperatures are now 1℃ higher than in the pre-industrial era.

A degree doesn’t sound like a lot, but the reality is that this incremental warming already appears to be having a negative impact. What’s more, if recent trends continue, this is set to worsen, with predictions of global temperatures increasing by as much as 3-5℃ by 2100.

Even with this tiny rise in global temperatures we are feeling the effects of climate change, with erratic weather patterns, including: heatwaves; floods and severe storms; loss of polar ice; and, rising sea levels. This will only get worse if global warming intensifies.

It’s widely recognised by scientists and governments that climate change is being triggered by higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Their name derives from the greenhouse effect they create by warming the Earth’s surface and the air above it. This is caused by gases that trap energy from the sun. The most common greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane.

Carbon dioxide is the most dangerous and abundant of the greenhouse gases, which is why cutting carbon emissions, carbon footprints or seeking low-carbon alternatives are suggested as ways to address climate change.

• lower the emissions we are sending into the atmosphere, from activities such as industrial processes, power generation, transport and intensive agriculture
• remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, for example by capturing carbon created during industrial processes before it’s released or planting more trees.

The excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is triggering harmful global warming, so reducing the amount of these gases should help to tackle climate change. This can be done in two ways:

• lower the emissions we are sending into the atmosphere, from activities such as industrial processes, power generation, transport and intensive agriculture
• remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, for example by capturing carbon created during industrial processes before it’s released or planting more trees.

With the scale of extreme weather in recent years, few people now deny that we are facing a climate emergency. The scientific evidence is clear: emissions of greenhouse gases, resulting from human activity, are causing our climate to change.

Carbon dioxide is emitted when fossil fuels are burned to meet our demand for energy. Although it isn’t the only greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is the most significant. As such, the term ‘carbon emissions’ is often used to talk about all greenhouse gas emissions.

To address the problem, the Paris Agreement drew commitments from 195 countries to work together to limit the global temperature increase during this century to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The Agreement was adopted at the end of 2015 and is a milestone global pact whereby nearly every country on earth agreed to work together to address the negative effects of climate change.

With the Paris Agreement was born the Net Zero movement, a movement with the goal of balancing the scales again and eventually restoring the global climate to pre-climate change levels. This is what is meant by the stated goal of limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Sweden and Germany have legally binding Net Zero targets for 2045. The UK, France, Denmark, Spain, Hungary, Luxemburg, Japan, Korea, Canada, and New Zealand have set targets or passed laws committing to achieving Net Zero by 2050. And Ireland, Chile and Fiji have proposed legislation but not passed laws regarding their commitments.

Over 2000 companies globally have established targets to be Net Zero emitters before the year 2050. Not only that, but one fifth of the 2000 companies who have committed are on the list of largest 2000 global companies.

The year 2050 was seen as the first realistic date whereby Net Zero emissions could be achieved considering the balance between the urgent need to take action and the impact it will have on the global economy.

It’s important to remember that if we are to reach this target by the middle of this century, considerable technological advances will be necessary during the next decade. Also, shot term commitments will help ensure that the long-term goals are achieved.

A target is a first step but to be fair, a target is only as good as the efforts made to achieve the target. The efforts and capabilities are usually driven by government policies, corporate incentives, and the will of leadership to make a difference for future generations. Many governments have set Net Zero targets, but most have not yet outlined how these targets will be met. Several governments with a stated Net Zero goal are still increasing their emissions each year! Even governments that are leading when it comes to climate action still have more work to do to outline in detail how they will effectively accomplish their Net Zero ambitions. Basically, having a Net Zero emissions target is a good step but it’s only the first step in a long journey. The hard work will be in achieving and realizing the Net Zero strategies.