The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (2024)

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UN News

Global perspective Human stories

Climate and Environment

A host of countries have recently announced major commitments to significantly cut their carbon emissions, promising to reach "net zero" in the coming years. The term is becoming a global rallying cry, frequently cited as a necessary step to successfully beat back climate change, and the devastation it is causing.

What is net zero and why is it important?

Put simply, net zero means we are not adding new emissions to the atmosphere. Emissions will continue, but will be balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.

Practically every country has joined the Paris Agreement on climate change, which calls for keeping the global temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial era levels. If we continue to pump out the emissions that cause climate change, however, temperatures will continue to rise well beyond 1.5, to levels that threaten the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere.

This is why a growing number of countries are making commitments to achieve carbon neutrality, or "net zero" emissions within the next few decades. It’s a big task, requiring ambitious actions starting right now.

Net zero by 2050 is the goal. But countries also need to demonstrate how they will get there. Efforts to reach net-zero must be complemented with adaptation and resilience measures, and the mobilization of climate financing for developing countries.

The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (2)

Unsplash/Appolinary Kalashnikova

Clean energy, like wind power, is a key element in reaching net zero emissions. is wind farm in Montenegro.

So how can the world move toward net zero?

The good news is that the technology exists to reach net zero – and it is affordable.

A key element is powering economies with clean energy, replacing polluting coal - and gas and oil-fired power stations - with renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar farms. This would dramatically reduce carbon emissions. Plus, renewable energy is now not only cleaner, but often cheaper than fossil fuels.

A wholesale switch to electric transport, powered by renewable energy, would also play a huge role in lowering emissions, with the added bonus of slashing air pollution in the world’s major cities. Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming cheaper and more efficient, and many countries, including those committed to net zero, have proposed plans to phase out the sale of fossil-fuel powered cars.

Other harmful emissions come from agriculture (livestock produce significant levels of methane, a greenhouse gas). These could be reduced drastically if we eat less meat and more plant-based foods. Here again, the signs are promising, such as the rising popularity of "plant-based meats" now being sold in major international fast-food chains.

The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (3)

Unsplash/Marc Heckner

An electric hybrid vehicle at a charging station in Germany.

What will happen to remaining emissions?

Reducing emissions is extremely important. To get to net zero, we also need to find ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Here again, solutions are at hand. The most important have existed in nature for thousands of years.

These "nature-based solutions" include forests, peatbogs, mangroves, soil and even underground seaweed forests, which are all highly efficient at absorbing carbon. This is why huge efforts are being made around the world to save forests, plant trees, and rehabilitate peat and mangrove areas, as well as to improve farming techniques.

Who is responsible for getting to net zero?

We are all responsible as individuals, in terms of changing our habits and living in a way which is more sustainable, and which does less harm to the planet, making the kind of lifestyle changes which are highlighted in the UN’s Act Now campaign.

The private sector also needs to get in on the act and it is doing so through the UN Global Compact, which helps businesses to align with the UN’s environmental and societal goals.

It’s clear, however, that the main driving force for change will be made at a national government level, such as through legislation and regulations to reduce emissions.

Many governments are now moving in the right direction. By early 2021, countries representing more than 65 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and more than 70 per cent of the world economy, will have made ambitious commitments to carbon neutrality. 

The European Union, Japan and the Republic of Korea, together with more than 110 other countries, have pledged carbon neutrality by 2050; China says it will do so before 2060.

Some climate facts:

  • The earth is now 1.1°C warmer than it was at the start of the industrial revolution. We are not on track to meet agreed targets in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, which stipulated keeping global temperature increase well below 2 °C or at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

  • 2010-2019 is the warmest decade on record. On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, the global temperature is expected to increase by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius by the end of century.

    To avoid the worst of warming (maximum 1.5°C rise), the world will need to decrease fossil fuel production by roughly 6 per cent per year between 2020 and 2030. Countries are instead planning and projecting an average annual increase of 2 per cent.

  • Climate action is not a budget buster or economy-wrecker: In fact, shifting to a green economy will add jobs. It could yield a direct economic gain of US$26 trillion through to 2030 compared with business-as-usual. And this is likely to be a conservative estimate.

The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (4)

UNDP

Restoring natural habitats as pictured here in Cuba will help to slow down climate change

Are these commitments any more than just political statements?

These commitments are important signals of good intentions to reach the goal, but must be backed by rapid and ambitious action. One important step is to provide detailed plans for action in nationally determined contributions or NDCs. These define targets and actions to reduce emissions within the next 5 to 10 years. They are critical to guide the right investments and attract enough finance.

So far, 186 parties to the Paris Agreement have developed NDCs. This year, they are expected to submit new or updated plans demonstrating higher ambition and action. Click here to see the NDC registry.

Is net zero realistic?

Yes! Especially if every country, city, financial institution and company adopts realistic plans for transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050.

The COVID-19 pandemic recovery could be an important and positive turning point. When economic stimulus packages kick in, there will be a genuine opportunity to promote renewable energy investments, smart buildings, green and public transport, and a whole range of other interventions that will help to slow climate change.

But not all countries are in the same position to affect change, are they?

That’s absolutely true. Major emitters, such as the G20 countries, which generate 80 per cent of carbon emissions, in particular, need to significantly increase their present levels of ambition and action.

Also, keep in mind that far greater efforts are needed to build resilience in vulnerable countries and for the most vulnerable people; they do the least to cause

climate change but bear the worst impacts. Resilience and adaptation action do not get the funding they need, however.

Even as they pursue net zero, developed countries must deliver on their commitment to provide $100 billion dollars a year for mitigation, adaptation and resilience in developing countries.

The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (5)

Unsplash/Daniel Moqvist

National governments are the main drivers of change to reduce harmful emissions.

What is the UN doingpromote climate action?

  • It supports a broader process of global consensus on climate goals through the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

  • It is a leading source of scientific findings and research on climate change.

  • Within developing countries, it assists governments with the practicalities of establishing and monitoring NDCs, and taking measures to adapt to climate change, such as by reducing disaster risks and establishing climate-smart agriculture.

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The race to zero emissions, and why the world depends on it (2024)

FAQs

What is race to zero and why it is important? ›

The Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

What is the race to carbon zero? ›

Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world before it's too late.

What is the purpose of zero emissions? ›

The science of 'carbon budgets'

Climate science is clear that, to a close approximation, the eventual extent of global warming is proportional to the total amount of carbon dioxide that human activities add to the atmosphere. So, in order to stabilise climate change, CO2 emissions need to fall to zero.

What is global citizen race to zero? ›

3 Facts You Need to Know About the Race to Zero

It's the largest ever alliance committed to hitting net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. 3. All members must meet robust science-aligned criteria and make maximum effort to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, in the mission to hit net zero by 2050.

What are the 5 P's of race to zero? ›

Known as the 5 P's, these criteria require members to Pledge, Plan, Proceed, Publish and Persuade.

What is zero and why is it important? ›

Zero is an important number, even though it represents a quantity of nothing! To summarize: Zero is a number between negative numbers and positive numbers. It is necessary as a placeholder in whole numbers and decimal numbers. It represents a place with no amount or null value.

What is the world's only carbon free country? ›

Bhutan: the only carbon negative country in the world.

What is the goal of zero carbon? ›

Put simply, net zero means cutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere.

What is the zero carbon theory? ›

Net zero is all about 'balancing' or cancelling out any carbon we produce. We reach net zero when the amount of greenhouse gas we produce is no more than the amount taken away. Zero carbon concerns the emissions produced from a product or service – it means no carbon is given off at all.

Which country is closest to net zero? ›

The countries closest to achieving net zero
  • Bhutan. ...
  • The Comoros. ...
  • Gabon. ...
  • Guyana. ...
  • Madagascar. ...
  • Niue. ...
  • Panama. ...
  • Suriname. Suriname borders fellow net-zero nation Guyana, which is no coincidence: they're both covered in forests that enable them to be carbon sinks.
Nov 21, 2023

What is the main source of no emissions? ›

Trucks, buses, and cars are the largest sources of NO2 emissions, followed by diesel-powered non-road equipment, industrial processes such as oil and gas production, industrial boilers and other movable engines, and coal-fired power plants.

What is causing global warming? ›

Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions. As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun's heat.

What is the goal of race to zero? ›

Race to Zero is a global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial, educational, and healthcare institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer, net zero world.

What is the 2030 breakthroughs race to zero? ›

THE 2030 BREAKTHROUGH

To deliver a resilient, safe climate we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% by 2030, reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and stay at net-negative emissions throughout the second half of the century. The science is clear.

What is the race to zero nature? ›

The UK's National Parks have become the first in the world to join the 'Race to Zero' initiative, committing to drive action to halve carbon emissions within their landscapes by 2030 and become significant net carbon sinks by 2050.

What is the primary objective of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign? ›

'Race to Zero' is a global campaign to mobilise leadership and support from businesses and other stakeholders for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery, which creates jobs, unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth, and reduces the risk of future shocks.

What is the race to zero climate campaign? ›

Race To Zero is a global campaign to mobilize leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a Healthy, Resilient and Fair, Zero Carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

What is the race to zero competition? ›

What is the Race to Zero? The Race to Zero was an annual competition from 2014-2018, open to students and faculty from any interested collegiate institution. The competition challenged collegiate teams to apply sound building science principles to create cost-effective, market-ready designs.

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