The concept of achieving ‘net zero’ refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed or offset, resulting in a net emissions level of zero.
An ever-increasing amount of GHGs and carbon in the atmosphere intensifies the global warming effect and causes further planetary disruption via climate change. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030, and reach net zero by 2050.
