What are Net Zero Carbon Emissions & Can It Solve Climate Change?

"Balance is not something you find; it is something you create." This quote from Jana Kingsford can be perfectly applied to Net Zero Carbon Emissions.

Net Zero Carbon Footprint or Carbon Neutrality is the concept of maintaining the balance of the amount of carbon dioxide gas present in the atmosphere. The word 'net' refers to the difference between an initial amount and the amount removed from it or the amount left after all deductions are made.

Net Zero Carbon is a state where the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere equals the amount removed, leaving a zero balance. This is known as zero carbon footprint.

In this article, we will understand the importance, need and other relevant details about net zero carbon footprint. 

The most critical purpose of net zero emissions is to prevent global warming and the adverse effects of climate change. We can also address economic, social and health issues while enhancing energy security and preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

For organisations, working towards net zero emissions proves to be cost saving, improves brand reputation and aligns with the growing demand for sustainable practices.

Failing to act risks catastrophic effects of climate change and global warming, such as:

• Extreme storms
  
• Intense heatwaves
• Thawing of glaciers leading to loss of ecosystems in the arctics and increasing sea levels
• Loss of biodiversity
• Major upheavals in people's lives leading even to climate migration. 

The list can go on and on. Climate change has direct and indirect effects on people's lives. It can and is disrupting economies, habitats and populations. 

According to climate scientists, 2023 is the hottest year on record. Many countries across the world have broken record temperatures. A solution to this is Net-Zero emissions - where all human carbon emissions are 'zero' keeping the Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees.

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C, emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. In his statement in 2020, UN Secretary-General António Guterres established building "a true global coalition in support of carbon neutrality by 2050."

The time to act is now. Individuals, governments and agencies should work as a collective to achieve this goal.

Reaching net zero emissions target is an urgent and necessary step that governments and agencies need to adopt. To keep a track on this, some steps have been taken:

• The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement formed the framework for countries and governments to limit the Earth's global temperature to 1.5°C.
• 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. 
• At COP21, 25 nations agreed to create a fund that spends $30 billion of public money each year to research and develop technologies required in the post-fossil-fuel world.
• Many more have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to halve global emissions. 

The challenges faced:

• Most countries are not yet on track to meet their emissions targets.
• Global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels hit a record high in 2022.
• All governments, primarily the biggest emitters, must take bold steps towards reducing emissions which are currently not being enforced enough. 

Net zero emissions can be targeted if drastic social and political changes are implemented throughout the world. Important steps that governments and agencies need to adopt to reach net zero emissions are:

1. Replace Fossil Fuel Energy with Sustainable Forms of Energy

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there is no need to build or develop new coal mines or oil and gas fields that are sustained through fossil fuels. However, governments across the world continue to fund and approve projects to build such power plants.

To replace fossil fuel use, we can focus on 4 major steps: 

• Renewables: Solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy can be multiplied to replace fossil fuel forms of energy.
• Energy Efficiency: Focusing on making things work better. This can range from our appliances to organizational systems.
• Reducing the Production of Methane: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas mainly generated from fossil fuel production. Cutting back on methane leakage into the atmosphere can significantly lower toxic emissions in the atmosphere.
• Electrification: Switching from fossil fuel energy to electric forms. An example of this is switching from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles. 

2. Invest in the Removal of Carbon

Carbon offsetting is used to monetarily compensate for the emissions of an organization by funding an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere. Planting trees, building wind farms, solar power plants, etc., are investments that can help an organization effectively become carbon neutral.

3. Penalties for the Violation of Regulation Norms

Organizations will first have to implement or accept a strategy to regulate their emissions. They will then have to produce public reports and transparent documentation of the actions taken to follow such rules. Carbon taxes will also have to shift from the taxpayers to the polluters.

4. Change in Consuming Patterns

Products are produced because there is a demand created for it by the society. If we emphasise greener products, organisations and companies would have no option but to develop such products. By creating a high demand for eco-friendly products, we can help pave the way for organisations to become environmentally conscious.

Individually, each one of us also produce carbon emissions. You can reduce your carbon footprint by:

• Adopting responsible, sustainable and circular consumption. Circular consumption is when goods are recycled and reused instead of being disposed of immediately.
• Change dietary practices by cutting down on meat-based food, avoid wasting and purchase local, sustainable produce to be mindful of travel miles.
• Adopt a greener mode of transport by walking or cycling across short distances. You can also use public transport, fly lesser (or more consciously) or buy vehicles that are environmentally friendly.
• Implement changes at home by switching to renewable energy sources and improving your home’s energy efficiency.
• Spread the word about the importance and need to switch to a greener lifestyle to avoid global warming and climate change.

Now that we understand net zero emissions and its importance in tackling climate change, we need to push ourselves, organisations and governments to achieve net zero targets.

To meet the need for energy without putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, countries would need to dramatically scale up the amount of clean energy they produce. Rather than looking at it from a public relations perspective, active measures need to be implemented to have a habitable future.