WHAT
IS
N E T Z E RO ?
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M A R K
L Y T T L E T O N
The scientific community is in agreement that global net emissions of CO2 caused by humans need to fall by at least 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net zero by 2050 in order to prevent the worst climate damage. Global warming is relative to cumulative CO2 emissions, meaning that the planet will continue to heat as long as global emissions remain above zero.
M A R K
L Y T T L E T O N
Net zero is a state in which greenhouse gases emissions that go into the Earth’s atmosphere are balanced by removal. It would be incredibly difficult to eliminate emissions completely by 2030. However, there are steps available to scale-up removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to offset these emissions, such as maintaining forests and planting more trees.
N E T Z E R O I S A STATE I N WH I C H G R EE NHOU SE GASE S E M I S S I ON S THAT GO I NTO THE E AR T H ’ S ATMOSPHE R E AR E BAL AN C E D B Y R E MOVAL. The international community needs to achieve net zero to meet goals set out in the Paris Agreement, namely keeping the global average temperature increase ‘well below 2°C’ compared with pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5°C. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming makes clear that it is necessary to achieve balance between greenhouse gas emissions and removals globally by 2050 to cap the increase in global temperatures. The Paris Agreement establishes a global objective, with action required at a national level, and each country is responsible for implementing their own policies to meet this shared goal.
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YO U C A N L E A R N H O W S KO O T S U P P O R T S P E O P L E A N D O R G A N I S AT I O N S S E E K I N G TO L O W E R T H E I R C A R B O N F OOT P R I N T B Y V I S I T I N G T H E B L OG O F M A R K L Y T T L E TO N .
MARK
LYTTLETON.