June 8, 2023
Net zero is our strongest tool yet against the climate crisis. The transition to net-zero emissions presents a compelling solution that offers not only environmental benefits but also economic, social and health advantages. Failing to act swiftly and decisively risks catastrophic climate change, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, and disruptions to food and water supplies.
Let’s delve into the key reasons why embracing net zero is vital for our collective wellbeing:
While there may be variations in definitions of net zero, the globally agreed net-zero definition is contained in the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42:2022). It defines net zero as “a condition in which human-caused residual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are balanced by human-led removals over a specified period and within specified boundaries”. Achieving this balance is a complex process involving emission reductions, offsets and innovative technologies.
The shift to a net-zero emissions world can be achieved by reducing emissions at their source and cancelling out residual emissions through carbon offsets. Carbon reduction is the process of directly cutting emissions through efficiencies while carbon offset involves investing in “carbon sinks” – i.e. the forest and our oceans – that absorb CO2 to compensate for emissions that occur elsewhere.
Read more at:
https://www.iso.org/climate-change/embracing-net-zero