You’ve probably heard the term net zero a lot in the past decade – from loud billboard ads to political speeches meant to inspire and motivate. That’s because it symbolises a beacon of hope in the fight against the climate crisis, uniting people worldwide with a common goal.

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It’s a global mission, with governments and organisations from all corners pledging to go “net zero” in the coming decades. The idea might seem a tad complex with all the jargon floating around, like “gross zero” or “carbon neutrality.” But don’t worry, we’re here to demystify it all!

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In this article, we’ll unfold the layers of net zero and tackle all the burning questions you might have about it. This article is for everyone, even for those who may be familiar with net zero concepts but lack a more comprehensive understanding of its intricacies. 

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Let’s start with the obvious first question. 

What is net zero?

Here we go. Net zero refers to an equilibrium state where the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted are balanced by removing the same amount from the atmosphere. It means no new GHG emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), are added to the atmosphere. 

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But why not just say “zero emissions” instead? For one, CO₂ and other GHGs are naturally present in Earth’s atmosphere. Plus, removing ALL emissions right now is like trying to bake a perfect cake without an oven – challenging, but the smartest minds are working on finding the best recipe! 

Why is net zero important?

Human activities, more so since the Industrial Revolution, have contributed immensely to the GHGs in the atmosphere. The excess of GHGs has led to a rise in global temperature (global warming), causing catastrophic environmental damage. 

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Net zero is like the superhero move needed to halt global warming in its tracks. Scientists studying the effect of GHG emissions determined that the world needs to attain a net zero state, where cumulative emissions are zero, to prevent global temperature from rising by more than 2 °C.

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This state should be reached globally by 2050 to keep the temperature rise ideally at 1.5 °C. The research formed the basis of the 2015 Paris Agreement, in which almost all nations pledged decarbonisation efforts to reach net zero status before or by 2050. 

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Today, net zero emissions are the ultimate goal, and virtually all efforts to reduce and remove emissions lead to that. 

Are net zero and carbon neutral the same thing?

Carbon neutrality and net zero emissions, on paper, are the same. However, the context in which these terms are used is different. A carbon-neutral entity produces the same amount of CO₂ as it removes, creating a balance of emissions going in and out. That’s essentially the same thing as net zero, except in carbon neutrality, carbon offset efforts have a greater emphasis. 

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Research by the UC Berkeley Carbon Trading Project indicated that as many as 25% of carbon offset projects are ineffective at reducing emissions, but hey, awareness is the first step to improvement! On the other hand, net zero is the gold standard, prioritising emissions reduction over offsets and saving offsets for the really tricky stuff to cut.

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It also doesn’t help that the term carbon neutral is often used by businesses trying to greenwash audiences and regulators. That’s one of the reasons why the European Union (EU) proposed the Green Claims Directive and banned greenwashing to prevent companies from misusing terms like carbon neutral. 

Gross zero vs. net zero

Gross zero refers to a complete elimination of GHG emissions from all activities. A gross zero state would require an entity to produce no emissions (thereby eliminating any need for offsetting). 

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Some companies, especially in the energy sector, aim to achieve gross zero through renewable sources. However, for most industries and businesses, gross zero simply isn’t possible. Net zero, which represents emissions production and removal, is a more accurate and realistic representation of what companies can do to stop climate change. 

Net zero transition (and how to get there)

So, we know we need to reach a net zero state globally by 2050 to prevent rising temperatures. But what will it take to realise the net zero transition?

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As mentioned, the primary goal of the Paris Agreement, and by extension all the regulations created worldwide, is to achieve a net zero society by reducing emissions. This requires concentrated efforts at every level to reduce direct (Scope 1 and 2) and indirect (Scope 3) emissions. 

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Countries, cities, and corporations worldwide are adopting ways to reduce emissions and attain a net zero status at their own pace and according to their existing carbon footprint. Some are better positioned to go net zero because of continued efforts to curb climate change. Some countries, like Panama and Gabon, have already achieved this feat. Nordic countries like Denmark and Sweden aim to become net zero by 2045. 

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Here’s what a global net zero transition by 2050 would require, according to the International Energy Agency:

• Investment in clean energy will need to triple by 2030
• Phasing out unabated fossil fuel plants by 2040
• Ending the sale of internal combustion engine cars by 2035
• Moving mostly to renewable energy by 2040

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Efforts are underway as countries adopt stricter regulations and consumer focus shifts toward sustainability. However, damning reports from different organisations show that some countries are not ready in the slightest. A KPMG report found that countries heavily reliant on fossil fuels may fail to reach net zero in time. 

Net zero is ambitious but also necessary

Going net zero by 2050 is a great commitment for countries, cities, businesses, and the people behind them. But the numbers make it clear that there’s no other way. 

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Reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, which are responsible for most carbon emissions and energy consumption, is the most effective method for reaching a net zero future. Every entity worldwide will need to do its part to minimise energy consumption and shift to renewable resources. 

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comundo’s technology helps enterprises and individuals measure accurate energy consumption on their properties and base their decisions on accurate data instead of estimates or out-of-date data. Energy consumption data is vital for accurate carbon accounting and efficient target-setting for net zero emissions. 

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A net zero state is attainable, but more must be done. The current emissions rate in many parts of the world is far from where it should be to achieve that status. But we still have time to make structural changes and bring about the change necessary for a sustainable future!

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