Put simply, net zero means cutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere.
The science shows clearly that in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels. Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1 degrees celsius warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees celsius - as called for in the Paris Agreement - emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Transitioning to a net zero world is one the greatest challenges humankind has faced. It calls for nothing less than a complete transformation of how we produce, consume and move about. The energy sector is the source of around three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change. Replacing polluting coal, gas and oil-fired power with energy from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, would dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
Yes, a growing coalition of countries, cities, businesses and other institutions are pledging to get to net zero emissions. More than 140 countries, including the biggest polluters - China, the United States, India and the European Union - have set a net zero target, covering about 88% of global emissions. More than 9,000 companies, over 1,000 cities, more than 1,000 educational institutions, and over 600 financial institutions have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030.
The growth in net zero pledged has been accompanied by a proliferation of criteria with varying levels of robustness. To develop stronger and clearer standards for net zero emissions pledges by non-State entities such as businesses, investors, cities and regions, and speed up their implementation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in March 2022 established a High Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. The Expert Group presented its recommendations at COP27 on 8 November 2022.
No, commitments made by governments to date fall far short of what is required. current national climate plans - for 195 Parties to the Paris Agreement taken together - would lead to a sizeable increase of almost 9% in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees celsius - as call for in the Paris Agreement - emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Getting to net zero required all governments - first and foremost the biggest emitters - to significantly strengthen their National Determined Contributions (NDC) and take bold, immediate steps towards reducing emissions now
The information presented on this page has been taken from The United Nations website
source: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition