Towards Net Zero – What Does It Actually Mean?

The world is becoming increasingly aware of an impending climate catastrophe. As the changes are reaching a point of irreversible return, it has become apparent that to avoid a climate disaster, new emissions of greenhouse gases must be minimal. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many countries have pledged to achieve ‘net-zero’ emission targets by the middle of the century. The term ‘net zero’ is gaining importance in theory and practice, with governments, NGOs, private and international organizations making net zero pledges. Therefore, it is important to understand the true meaning of net zero.

Emissions are measured in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2). All the emissions are converted into tCO2 for standardization. Net zero, in simple terms, means that the tCO2 emitted and the tCO2 retrieved from the atmosphere are the same, so the net emission is zero. It’s a common misconception that net zero means zero emissions. However, Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere.

Achieving net zero is pivotal to achieving the targets set under the Paris Agreement of keeping global temperatures within 1.5°C degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times. The magnitude of the crisis has been highlighted in the recent IPCC report which states that the window to prevent global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is drawing to a close fast. It goes on to say that to achieve the target, global emissions must peak before 2025 and then fall by 43% before 2030, compared to 2019 levels.

Against this backdrop, fossil fuel-based economies are becoming inefficient. But similar to other market inefficiencies, it can be rectified to drive green and inclusive prosperity. Net Zero is inevitable and can be achieved through two avenues:

1. To emit less greenhouse gases.
2. To remove carbon from the atmosphere.

We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using cleaner fuel, making our industries and buildings energy efficient, electrifying the transport sector and most importantly by transitioning to clean sources of energy. Second, we can retrieve carbon from the atmosphere through ecological methods such reforestation, carbon sinks, and by improving quality of soil to increasing its carbon absorption ability. These methods are cheap and easy but may not always bring the most tangible affects. Another way to retrieve carbon is through technology, these methods are still expensive and are not deemed successful yet. However, carbon removal technologies have potential and may see reduction in costs with advancement in technology.

While the idea of net zero has become more mainstream, the path to realizing its potential is far more complex. It requires significant changes in how we produce and consume energy, how we transport ourselves and goods, and how we use and manage land. It also requires significant investment in new technologies and infrastructure. And even though most countries have pledged and put forward their net zero targets, there are still political and social barriers to tangible policy implementation and behavioral changes. For instance, developing countries allege that the majority of emission reductions must come from the developed world as they are responsible for these current emissions. However, the developing world argues that developed countries contributed more to climate change and should have greater responsibility for climate change mitigation than developing countries should. This ongoing debate still has the potential to cause a roadblock in future talks for emission reductions.

Besides that, it is also important to note that the initial investment in clean energy technology can be high, which can make the transition away from coal challenging. The cost of renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar have decreased significantly in recent years, but they can still be more expensive than traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources, including coal. Hence, countries with a lower GDP and heavy reliance on fossil fuels will also have to invest relatively more in green energy and technology to build a low-emissions economy and reach net zero. However, the current debate in the international climate arena is how this can be done without hampering countries’ development agenda. The uneven impact of pursing net zero targets can be a hindrance to its effective implementation. That is the reason it will not be possible to achieve net zero without the support of the governments, especially those of the developed countries. EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and USA’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are a step in the right direction, but a lot still needs to be done.

At the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet (GASP) we have partnered with ambitious organizations to push for a sustainable future that goes beyond net zero. Our partner SayTrees has been creating urban and rural forests, supporting farmers with fruit trees, rejuvenating lakes and water bodies, and installing solar lamps in villages to ensure a more sustainable future in India. The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is advancing human well-being, equity, and environmental integrity by conducting innovative research, developing partners’ capacity, and actively engaging in dialogue with all stakeholders to inform policies and practices that affect forests and people. CIFOR-ICRAF’s venture Resilient Landscapes is acting as a bridge between the public and private sector to translate robust science and research into practical business solutions and green economy investment opportunities to impactful carbon offsets.

Net zero is needed to realize a green and sustainable world. Theoretically, the concept is simple, however, achieving net zero requires effective policy implementation and cooperation. The lack of political will and global consensus as to who is responsible for emissions, as well as expensive technology to offset emissions will make achieving net zero an arduous task. Yet, work is on the way, with aspiring organizations and governments acting and starting dialogues that will help accelerate a green transformation that is needed to realize net zero.