Who is responsible for getting to net zero? This is why huge efforts are being made around the world to save forests, plant trees, and rehabilitate peat and mangrove areas, as well as to improve farming techniques.
These "nature-based solutions" include forests, peatbogs, mangroves, soil and even underground seaweed forests, which are all highly efficient at absorbing carbon.
Here again, the signs are promising, such as the rising popularity of "plant-based meats" now being sold in major international fast-food chains. These could be reduced drastically if we eat less meat and more plant-based foods. Other harmful emissions come from agriculture (livestock produce significant levels of methane, a greenhouse gas). Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming cheaper and more efficient, and many countries, including those committed to net zero, have proposed plans to phase out the sale of fossil-fuel powered cars. Plus, renewable energy is now not only cleaner, but often cheaper than fossil fuels.Ī wholesale switch to electric transport, powered by renewable energy, would also play a huge role in lowering emissions, with the added bonus of slashing air pollution in the world’s major cities. This would dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The good news is that the technology exists to reach net zero – and it is affordable.Ī key element is powering economies with clean energy, replacing polluting coal - and gas and oil-fired power stations - with renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar farms. So how can the world move toward net zero? Efforts to reach net-zero must be complemented with adaptation and resilience measures, and the mobilization of climate financing for developing countries.Ĭlean energy, like wind power, is a key element in reaching net zero emissions. But countries also need to demonstrate how they will get there. It’s a big task, requiring ambitious actions starting right now.
This is why a growing number of countries are making commitments to achieve carbon neutrality, or "net zero" emissions within the next few decades. If we continue to pump out the emissions that cause climate change, however, temperatures will continue to rise well beyond 1.5, to levels that threaten the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere. Practically every country has joined the Paris Agreement on climate change, which calls for keeping the global temperature to 1.5☌ above pre-industrial era levels. Emissions will continue, but will be balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere. Put simply, net zero means we are not adding new emissions to the atmosphere. What is net zero and why is it important?
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