The Global Net Zero Movement: How Countries Are (and Aren’t) Getting There
Climate change is a critical issue plaguing our world today, and the importance of fighting it cannot be overstated.
It is inextricably linked to greenhouse gas emissions, so to combat climate change, we must be willing to put our best foot forward to mitigate emissions and achieve net zero.
Before we delve into net zero and what it entails, let us take a minute to understand the concept. When the amount of greenhouse gases emitted is balanced with an equal amount of such gases removed from the environment, we refer to it as net zero.
Eventually, the goal is to achieve stability while alleviating the density of such gases in the atmosphere.
As highlighted in the Paris Agreement, the target that countries need to achieve to fight global warming is below 2ºC, and make efforts to keep it at 1.5ºC.
While several countries have vowed to reach net-zero by or around mid-century, it’s also important to add that the methodologies used to attain this goal differ from country to country.
Through his article, we’ll explore the worldwide net-zero movement, what countries are doing to attain net-zero carbon emissions, and the obstacles they’re encountering.
Net-Zero: What Does It Entail?
As highlighted earlier, striking a balance between greenhouse gases emitted into the environment and those removed from it, is what we term ‘net-zero.’ It’s important to understand that the emissions don’t reduce to zero; at the same time, they are canceled out, thanks to the implementation of any of the following measures:
Carbon Removal through technological or natural means
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Counterbalancing emissions using renewable energy investments
Reforestation and afforestation
In the end, achieving net-zero necessitates widespread change spread across energy production, transportation, agriculture, industry, and urban planning.
Net-Zero: Relevance
One wonders why countries and companies are in hot pursuit of achieving net zero. The reason is fairly obvious. Because this will pave the way for achieving global warming levels 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels and keep environmental and social and economic disasters at bay.
Let us also add here that besides current emissions, cumulative emissions from developed countries (mostly) are also increasing global temperatures.
It is worth noting that today, multiple technologies can alleviate emissions to zero in a range of industries. For instance, renewable and nuclear generation can be used in electricity to achieve the same result.
In other words, a transport system that operates on electricity or hydrogen or thermally protected homes, or even industrial processes that run on electricity instead of gas, are some instances that can contribute to the reduction of emissions from various sectors to zero.
However, if we consider sectors such as aviation and agriculture, technologies that can achieve the same effect are few and far between. Therefore, the chances of attaining zero emissions don’t seem plausible.
Since the emissions remain, there needs to be a way to alleviate them. How do we do that? The issue can be dealt with by removing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from the environment and attaining the target of net zero for the entire economy.
In the end, it’s safe to say that net zero is not restricted to climate; it transcends it to include several aspects. What exactly are those aspects? They are as follows:
Alleviating migration patterns resulting from migration triggered by climate change
Safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity
Protecting and preserving food and water security
Enabling the economy to become more resilient in a low-carbon economy
Innovation gets a new direction and a boost, sending signals to prospective industries and investors.
Crucial Features: Net-Zero Accomplishment
While the idea of net-zero emissions has originated from physical climate science, it functions through political, social, and economic systems.
To accomplish net zero and put a stop to climate disruption, it’s critical to follow the seven core features of net zero, which we will explore shortly.
These features emphasize the need to reduce emissions at the earliest and include all sources of emissions, including those that are tough to control.
They highlight the social and environmental integrity of these features while indicating that carbon removal must be used with caution and carbon offsets (to achieve carbon neutrality) must be adequately controlled.
Additionally, net zero must be in sync with wider sustainable goals, indicating an impartial energy transition, sustainable social and ecological practices, and economic opportunities available to all. The seven core features are as follows:
Early reductions in emissions
A detailed approach to reduction in emissions
Careful use of carbon dioxide removal and storage
Regulating carbon offsets impactfully
In sync with more extensive socio-ecological objectives
Exploring new economic opportunities
Achieving Net Zero: Key Features
Interestingly, a plethora of countries have committed to achieving a reduction in net-zero emissions by putting together targets that align with stipulated timelines that form part of the Paris Agreement temperature goals. Those that feature in the list are as follows:
Germany
UK
France
Denmark
Spain
Norway
Switzerland
Portugal
New Zealand
Chile
Costa Rica
Sweden
Austria
Finland
We must also add that two countries (Bhutan and Suriname) stand out because they’ve long since achieved their net-zero goals; essentially, they’re carbon-negative.
The 1992 UN Climate Convention also states that rich countries need to be at the forefront of the net-zero emissions race; it was further reaffirmed in the Paris Agreement.
While we’re on the subject of countries taking initiatives to achieve net zero, we must also share the following techniques undertaken by nations to meet their set goals:
Highlighted in policy documents: More than 140 countries have vowed to meet their net-zero goals by 2050, maybe even earlier. Some statistics are as follows: UK (2050), EU (2050), China (2060), and India (2070).
Adoption of renewable energy: Investment in fields such as solar, wind, and hydropower is on the rise. For instance, Denmark has set a goal to use 100 percent renewable energy to generate electricity.
Charging methods for carbon emissions: The EU Emissions Trading System is a quintessential example of price-tagging carbon to achieve reductions in carbon emissions.
Changes across industries: Several industries, such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles, are undergoing major changes to match goals aimed at the reduction of carbon emissions.
Case Studies: Countries Reaching Net Zero
While countries are scrambling to compete against one another in the race to meet their emissions target, it’s imperative to draw attention to five countries that have gone above and beyond to accomplish their net-zero emission objectives, reduce overall global emissions, and prevent global warming.
Here are their details:
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom was among the first countries to legally commit to attaining net zero by 2050. Since 1990, the country has been successful in lowering carbon emissions by more than 40%. However, its biggest obstacle remains lowering carbon output from heat and transport. The UK government is fervently working toward reducing carbon output from heat and transport.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica procures close to 100 % of its sources for electricity from renewable energy such as hydropower during the period from 2015 to 2022. Not to be left behind, the country has crafted a national decarbonization plan that intends to reduce its emissions to alarmingly low levels while aiming to achieve net zero by 2050.
China: Something most of us may not know is the fact that China emits the highest levels of carbon in the world. It has promised to prevent its emissions from growing further by 2030 and bring them down to zero by 2060. While it’s making efforts to invest substantially in electric vehicles and solar energy, it’s still dependent on coal for power generation, highlighting how the two activities contradict one another.
Norway: Norway has made it its goal to attain net-zero emissions by 2050 through electrification and other decarbonization techniques. As part of its action plan to achieve the target, it has decided to focus on CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) and offshore wind. This target was outlined in the Climate Change Act in 2017. However, all said and done, it continues to export oil and gas in huge quantities, creating discrepancies in the outlined policies.
India: India has decided to take a bold and brave step by aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2070, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in 2021. Currently, its focus is energy access, economic growth, and expansion of solar energy. To accomplish this, the country is going to have to take two critical steps:
Transition to low-carbon technologies as opposed to the current production processes.
Secure substantial international funding as well as technology.
Challenges Associated with Net Zero: Costs
Everything worth having comes at a price and attaining net-zero emissions is no different.
While accomplishing the goal is primary to leading an environmentally sustainable life and an equally sustainable future, it’s worth noting the following challenges and taking measures accordingly.
Massive initial expenses: It’s a given that the move to green energy and green infrastructure requires a large amount of capital, thereby increasing the initial expenses.
Job loss issues resulting from the transition to clean energy: Unfortunately, fossil fuel jobs are on the decline, raising concerns about reskilling workers and protecting them while the transition to clean energy is in progress.
Level of technological advancement: Certain technologies, such as large-scale CCS, are undergoing development and haven’t been broadly tested.
Discrepancies in policies: Several climate-related policies lack clear strategies or ways to ensure they’re being adhered to.
Global inequality issues: Developing countries require monetary help, technological help, and help to upskill workers. If there’s no support, inequalities will increase the world over in the quest to reach net zero.
Final thoughts
Before we sum up, it’s critical to share some core statistics that exhibit the financial benefits we’re likely to derive from achieving net zero.
But it’s also equally important to share that there has to be substantial input to secure the output we’re looking for. In other words, we need to invest heavily in the endeavor to acquire the much-needed output.
Data (2019) by the World Bank has shared that infrastructural investment is likely to cost us $90 trillion by 2030. Massive, isn’t it?
At the same time, the same study states that the RoI we secure will be four times the amount invested!
Yet another New Climate Economy analysis has suggested that proper action oriented toward alleviating the climate crisis would help us acquire a lucrative $26 trillion by 2030, as opposed to regular business.
The above data is a clear indication that, besides being an obstacle of huge proportions, the global net-zero movement is also a unique opportunity.
Several countries have demonstrated courage and stepped forward with targets that are difficult to reach.
Setting an ambitious goal without taking any constructive action toward it is far-fetched, don’t you think?
Therefore, what’s important are the following aspects:
Clear policy frameworks
Global cooperation
Incorporation of diverse groups in planning
Ongoing investment
In a word, let us put our best foot forward to ensure that attaining net zero isn’t just about eradicating carbon emissions from the environment but also about contributing to an egalitarian and sustainable future that is fit for living.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which countries are not going the net-zero way?
Several countries have vowed to reach net-zero emissions and even set targets for it. However, some haven’t made a strong commitment to the goal yet.
Among the countries that haven’t fully committed, we can include Indonesia, which is still researching net-zero instances.
We can also add Australia to the list. According to a prior assessment, it hasn’t set stronger climate goals yet. Finally, Switzerland and Vietnam are two other countries that have set targets identified as 'not sufficiently ambitious.' Which country is the world's #1 polluter?
If we refer to carbon dioxide emissions in 2022, China stands out as the highest emitter.
In contrast, when taking into account air quality based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) last year (2024), Bangladesh takes the lion’s share as the most polluted country. How many countries have agreed to net zero?
Per the data as of June 2024, 107 countries have made net-zero pledges in sources such as laws, policy documents, and crucial government announcements.
Put together, these countries emit around 82% of greenhouse gases worldwide. What is net zero?
When there’s a balance between greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere versus those removed from it, we achieve what’s known as net zero.
