Net Zero

Net zero is central to global efforts to limit climate change. The Paris Agreement of 2015 set the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Scientists have found that reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions around the middle of the century is needed to meet the 1.5°C goal.

Reaching net zero mainly requires deep cuts in emissions, through cleaner energy, electrified transport, more efficient buildings and changes in industry and agriculture. Remaining emissions that are hard to eliminate can be balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, through forests or technologies such as direct air capture.

For example, a company with a net zero target for 2050 might plan to cut its emissions by 90% and remove the remaining 10% through high-quality carbon removals.

Many countries and companies have set net zero targets. Critics warn that some targets lack interim goals, rely heavily on offsets or exclude major emission sources. Standards such as the Science Based Targets initiative aim to make corporate net zero commitments more credible.