Net-zero emissions, also known as carbon neutrality, are a balance between the amount produced of greenhouse gases that cause global warming (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) and the amount removed from the atmosphere in order to fight climate change.
It is important to note that the definition of “net zero” means that all emissions have been offset. This can be done by planting trees, bringing in innovative measures to change the existing industrial practices, restoring forests, or using environmentally friendly technology to capture and store carbon from oil and coal burning.
Net-zero CO2 emissions means that the emission needed for development is balanced with conservation and mitigation measures, such as carbon absorption.
The United States, India, South Korea and many other nations have announced plans for net-zero emissions. These countries will only emit carbon dioxide (CO2), and other gasses, to the extent that they can absorb them through natural or technological methods.
What Does It Mean To Achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report on 1.5 Degree Celsius (2.7 Degree Fahrenheit), published by the IPCC, mentions the fact that the 2 degree Celsius threshold (3.6 degree Fahrenheit), referred to in the 2015 Paris Agreement, was more dangerous than originally thought. It also states that in order to maintain warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius in the coming decade, unprecedented economic transformations will be required.
To achieve net zero emissions, GHGs are removed from the atmosphere to counteract all emissions caused by human beings. This process is called “carbon removal”. In order to achieve net-zero, all human-caused GHG emissions are counterbalanced by removing GHGs from the atmosphere in a process called ‘carbon removal’.
To keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius, CO2 emission levels must drop by around 25 per cent by 2030 from their 2010 level and reach zero emissions by the year 2070.
As a more environmentally friendly fossil fuel, natural gas could be used by some industries as a temporary alternative to achieve the net zero target. It attempts to lower emissions through the setting of a carbon price. Countries that exceed their emission “cap” may purchase portions of the allocation allocated to nations with low emissions.
Also Read: High Seas Treaty
When Do We Need To Achieve Net-zero Emissions?
The Paris Agreement stipulates that countries must limit global warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F), or ideally, 1.5° C (2.7°F). Climate impacts already underway under current warming of 1.1 degree C (1.98°F) show that it is urgent to reduce temperature. From melting ice and heat waves to more intense hurricanes, it is imperative that the temperature rise be minimised.
The latest science indicates that in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate goals, it will be necessary to reach net-zero carbon emissions within the following timelines:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) must be net-zero by 2044-2052 and total GHG emission must be net-zero by 2063-2068 in scenarios that limit warming to 1.5°C. By reaching net zero earlier, the risk of exceeding 1.5 degrees C is reduced.
In scenarios where the goal is to limit global warming to a maximum of 2 degrees C, it’s necessary to achieve net zero CO2 by 2070. Total GHG emission must be zero by the end of this century.
The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change finds that the chances of keeping the warming below 1.5 degrees C are much higher if the world achieves net-zero emission by 2040.
As soon as emissions peak and drop, this should reduce the need for carbon removal in the second half.
This does Not mean that all nations must achieve net-zero carbon emissions simultaneously.
It is important to note that the likelihood of limiting the warming to 1.5°C depends on how soon those countries with highest emissions reach net zero emissions. Equity-related factors — such as responsibility for previous emissions, equality of emissions per capita and the ability to act — also suggest that wealthier countries emitting more should have an earlier date to reduce carbon emissions.
It’s important to note that reaching net-zero emissions is a different time frame if you only consider CO2, compared with CO2 and other GHGs including methane nitrous, fluorinated, and nitrous.
Various studies suggest that non-CO2 emissions (such as methane originating from agricultural sources) will take longer to reach net zero because they are harder to eliminate. In the short-term, however, these potent, but short-lived gases, will increase temperatures, and could push the temperature beyond the 1.5° C threshold.
It’s important that countries specify whether they want to achieve net-zero emissions only for CO2 or for all GHGs. A comprehensive goal of net-zero would include all GHGs to ensure that other gases are also reduced.
What Needs To Be Done To Achieve Net-Zero Emissions?
In order to achieve net zero emission, there must be a shift in policy, technology, and behaviour.
Renewables will provide 70-85% electricity in 2050, for example, if we follow the pathways towards 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The use of energy-efficient vehicles and switching to alternative fuels are essential for reducing transportation emissions.
Reducing emissions is also possible by improving the efficiency of food production and changing diet, stopping deforestation and restoring degraded land, and reducing waste and food loss.
Solar and Wind power now provides the cheapest electricity. These opportunities, as well the risks of an economy with high levels of carbon dioxide emissions are being recognized by markets.
Investments are needed in carbon-removal techniques.
IPCC has identified several pathways that can be used to reach 1.5 degrees C. Each of these relies to some degree on the removal of carbon. Removing CO2 will compensate for emissions that are more difficult to reach, like those in aviation. Carbon removal is possible through a variety of methods, including land-based and technological ones.
Is The World On Track To Achieve Net-Zero Emission?
Are we on track to reduce emissions net zero in the time needed to prevent the most severe impact of climate change?
No, the world isn’t doing enough to stop the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Despite this, efforts to phase out unabated coal have been lagging behind and must fall five times faster before 2030.
Also, the share of electric cars in sales of light duty vehicles (LDVs) reached 4.3% in 2020. This represents a 50% compound average increase over the last five year period.
Even though these progresses are promising, they need to be significantly accelerated in order to reduce the emissions of the transport sector.
In cases where the change has stalled or is heading in the wrong direction, it’s important to take action. By 2030, for example, it is necessary to slow down deforestation by three times and to increase the tree cover.
Is the Paris Agreement A binding Agreement For Countries To Achieve Net-Zero Emission?
Short answer: yes. In particular, the Paris Agreement establishes a long term goal to “achieve a balance between anthropogenic emission by sources and removal by sinks of carbon dioxide in the second halves of this century. This is on the basis of equity and in context with sustainable development and efforts towards eradicating poverty.” This concept is similar to achieving zero emissions.
The Glasgow Climate Pact was signed at COP26 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. It urges all countries to “move towards just transitions toward net zero emissions around or by mid-century, taking into consideration different national circumstances.”
Criticism Of Net Zero
Criticism of net zero targets includes the “net” aspect could stymy efforts towards rapid emissions reductions.
Critics express concern that such policies could encourage an over-reliance on carbon removal; decision-makers could use net zero targets as an escape valve from near term emission reductions. One solution could be for decision makers to set both ambitious gross (non-removal) goals as well as longer term net-reduction targets to address this concern.
Some countries’ efforts towards net zero emissions rely on buying emissions reduction credits from third parties in order to reach net-zero by postponing emissions cuts within their borders.
Some countries set net-zero as their goal and depend on investment or payments for other nations’ emission cuts as an indirect method to reach it. Unfortunately, these tactics could allow governments to sidestep long-term emission cuts.
Decision makers could address this concern by setting clear emission reduction goals and restricting or forgoing offsets.
Target dates for net-zero goals – typically 2050 – often seem too distant for comfort.
Infrastructure installed today could last several decades and affect mid-century goals. To reach net zero emissions by mid century, decision makers should set near-term and intermediate milestones and set ambitious emission reduction goals in NDCs for 2030.
NDCs fall within the Paris Agreement’s transparency and accountability provisions, providing mechanisms that facilitate rapid deployment to make long-term net-zero targets credible.
As global climate challenges present themselves, net zero climate commitments alone won’t do. Countries must take additional action if they wish to face them successfully.