Net-zero emissions

Common card · No. 220471

Global net-zero emissions are reached when greenhouse gas emissions and removals due to human activities are in balance. Net-zero emissions is often shortened to net zero. Once global net zero is achieved, further global warming is expected to significantly slow down, but the effects of existing atmospheric greenhouse gases will still contribute to continued warming. Emissions can refer to all greenhouse gases or only to carbon dioxide (CO2). Reaching net zero is necessary to slow global warming. It requires deep cuts in emissions, for example by shifting from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, improving energy efficiency and halting deforestation. A small remaining fraction of emissions can then be offset using carbon dioxide removal. People often use the terms net-zero emissions, carbon neutrality, and climate neutrality with the same meaning. However, in some cases, these terms have different meanings. For example, some standards for carbon neutral certification allow a lot of carbon...

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