What Does It Mean to Reach Net-Zero Emissions? High Level Climate Champions’ Race to Zero campaign also calls on regions, cities, businesses, investors and civil society to submit plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in advance of the United Nations climate negotiations (COP 26) in Glasgow in November 2021.īut what does a net-zero target mean, what’s the science behind net-zero and which countries have already made such commitments? Here are nine common questions and answers about net zero: 1. Secretary General asked countries to come forward with net-zero targets.
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These numbers are climbing quickly, particularly because the U.N. On top of that, hundreds more regions, cities and businesses have set targets of their own. To date, over fifty countries have communicated such “net-zero targets,” including the world’s largest emitters (China and the United States). Recognizing this urgency, a rapidly growing number of national government, local government and business leaders are making commitments to reach net-zero emissions within their jurisdictions or businesses.
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The latest research is clear: To avoid the worst climate impacts, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will need to drop by half by 2030 and reach net-zero around mid-century. Editor's Note: This article was updated in May 2021 to include WRI’s latest research and information about new national net-zero targets.