Net Zero
Global warming is proportional to cumulative CO2 emissions, which means that the planet will keep heating for as long as global emissions remain more than zero. This implies that climate damages, caused by global heating, will continue escalating for as long as emissions continue. It is international scientific consensus that, in order to prevent the worst climate damages, global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching Net Zero around 2050.
Net Zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. It is the internationally agreed upon goal for mitigating global warming in the second half of the century. Put simply, greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance.
The term Net Zero is important, because – for CO2 at least – this is the state at which global warming stops. However, without deep and widespread cuts in emissions, and a scale up in removals, it will be very difficult to reduce all emissions to zero on the timescale needed.
In order for Net Zero to be effective, it must be permanent. Permanence means that removed greenhouse gas does not return into the atmosphere over time, for example through poorly maintained industrial infrastructure or improper carbon storage.
Transitioning to a net-zero world is one of the greatest challenges mankind has faced. It will require a complete transformation of how we produce, consume, and move about.
The energy sector is the source of around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change. Replacing coal, gas and oil-fired power with energy from renewable sources, would dramatically reduce carbon emissions
However, for those countries dependent on the sale of energy for their prosperity, any transition away from fossil fuels, can only be funded through the sale of the same hydrocarbons they have committed to reduce.
It is therefore of critical importance that, if these natural resources are to fund a future transition, national energy sectors must offer a better maintained and more carbon efficient alternative, than is currently the case.