Why is net zero important?
To protect the planet from climate change disasters, we must limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieve "net zero" by 2050.In addition to potentially catastrophic sea level rise and increased extreme weather, climate change brought on by global warming would also increase hunger and migration while rendering certain areas of the earth uninhabitable.
The 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement called for maintaining the increase in global temperature far below 2 °C or at 1.5 °C over pre-industrial levels. The amount of greenhouse gases is at its highest point in two million years. The globe has warmed by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the industrial revolution. 1 A rise of 1.1C to date has caused climate disasters in countries from Pakistan to Puerto Rico. 2 According to the UNEP's Emissions Gap Report, which was released in December 2020, the world would warm by more than 3 °C this century even if every country adheres to its present carbon reduction targets.3
The primary cause of climate change, greenhouse gas, will continue to warm the world for a very long time since it will remain in the atmosphere. So it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ultimate goal is to return the world climate to its pre-climate change levels by balancing the scales once more. To get there, we must cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero and begin immediately to undo the harm done in the past by bringing down previous emissions. Net zero is crucial because it is the most effective strategy to combat climate change by lowering global warming.
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Global ‘Race to Zero’? 92 countries have communicated a net-zero target, with 22 of them enshrining it in law.
According to Climate watch data, as of 25 October 2022, 92 countries and 78.6% of global GHG emissions, have communicated a net-zero target. In addition, 22 countries have adopted net zero legislation, with net zero target dates as early as 2035 for Finland and no later than 2060 for Russia. It is noteworthy to concentrate on the case of the top four emitters in the world—China, the U.S., the EU, and India—whose reductions in carbon emissions are essential to meeting global targets. The EU's European Green Deal, published in December 2019, proposes a collective EU net-zero target for 2050 and to enshrine this target in the European Climate Law. The U.S., China and India have proposed net zero targets for 2050, 2060 and 2070 respectively, which are included in their national policy documents. 5
©️ climatewatchdata.org
Reaching net zero emissions is essential to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and intense heat waves, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events. Many countries and companies have already committed to reaching net zero emissions, and governments are implementing policies to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, reaching net zero emissions will require a collective effort by governments, businesses, and individuals to take action and make the necessary changes.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the Paris Agreement's target, "global net human-caused carbon dioxide emissions would need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching 'net zero' around 2050."4
It means that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed, effectively reducing emissions to zero over time. To reach net zero emissions, society must transition to low-carbon energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and implement technologies that capture and store CO2 emissions. This will require significant changes in the way we produce and use energy, as well as in the way we live our daily lives.
Towards a post-fossil fuel, eco-efficient and green economy driving transformation of how we produce, transport and consume energy.
Reducing global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to net zero by 2050 is consistent with efforts to limit longterm average global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This necessitates a complete redesign of how we generate, transport, and consume energy.
Replace fossil fuel energy with renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and bioenergy, and achieve greenhouse gas removals through natural solutions, such as planting trees and changing land management to increase carbon sequestration in the soil, are widely cited ways to reduce emissions. Furthermore, negative emissions technologies such as Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) are worth anticipating. However, these technologies have yet to be proven at scale, can be costly and energy-intensive, and have their own unintended negative consequences.
Achieving net zero emissions will involve a myriad of decisions by people around the world and will require a strong consensus and a great deal of joint work effort. Climate action is not a waste of money or a drain on the economy: Indeed, transitioning to a green economy will create jobs. When compared to business as usual, it could result in a direct economic gain of US$26 trillion through 2030. 6
The disruption of air as a result of wind turbines results in cloud formations in Horns Rev wind farm, Denmark – the world’s first large scale offshore wind farm.
©The Guardian
1. IPCC. Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying https://www.ipcc.ch/2021/08/09/ar6-wg1-20210809-pr/
2. The Guardian. Revealed: how climate breakdown is supercharging toll of extreme weather
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/04/climate-breakdown-supercharging-extreme-weather
3. UNEP. Emissions Gap Report 2020 https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2020
4. IPCC. Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C approved by governments https://www.ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments/
5. Climate Watch. Net Zero Tracker https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker?indicator=nz_year&showEUCountries=true
6. United Nations.The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2020/11/race-zero-emissions-and-why-world-depends-it
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It means that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed, effectively reducing emissions to zero over time. To reach net zero emissions, society must transition to low-carbon energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and implement technologies that capture and store CO2 emissions. This will require significant changes in the way we produce and use energy, as well as in the way we live our daily lives.
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28/02/23
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10 min
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The Concept of Net Zero Energy
Net zero emissions is a goal to balance the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively reducing the amount of emissions to zero over time.
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@Jade Wang
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Published
28/02/23
Reading time
10 min
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What is net zero?
We've all heard the term "net zero," but what does it really mean? The term "net zero emissions" refers to achieving a net balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions removed from the atmosphere. We reach net zero when we balance the amount of greenhouse gases we emit with the amount we remove.
Net Zero is also referred to as 'carbon neutrality' and 'climate neutrality'. Net zero is similar in concept to carbon neutrality, but on a larger scale. To achieve net zero emissions, more than just carbon emissions must be eliminated. All greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and other hydrofluorocarbons, are considered net zero.
Obtaining net zero emissions does not imply eliminating all emissions. It entails ensuring that any man-made carbon dioxide or other climate-changing emissions that cannot be eliminated are removed from the atmosphere in another way. This can be accomplished naturally, for example, by reviving forests that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Alternatively, technology that can capture and store emissions from power plants and factories, as well as directly pull CO2 from the atmosphere, can be used.