Net Zero Race- Is it early to be late?

-      Compiled and written by Muneer Ahmed Shahabuddin, Melbourne

Man makes something. It breaks something. Man makes something to fix the broken thing. That breaks something. Man makes something to fix the broken thing. That breaks something. Man makes another new thing to fix that problem. Oops, the new thing broke more things. This is an endless cycle. We just need to slowly rewind and let go of modern conveniences. These insightful words said my blogger friend Michael Donovan. This indeed helped me change the title.

Some questions at first: 

- Is carbon neutrality net zero?

- Is it only cutting emissions? Not negative emissions?

-  We are too many humans, can’t we deal with it?  

A hindsight review says the rest.

What does net zero actually mean?

Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. We reach net zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away. Thus, mathematically net zero equation is “The amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere = The amount of carbon removed”.

Is Net Zero the same as carbon neutral?

Net zero and carbon neutrality are not the same thing. Carbon neutral refers to a policy of not increasing carbon emissions and of achieving carbon reduction through offsets. While net zero carbon means making changes to reduce carbon emissions to the lowest amount – and offsetting as a last resort.

When will we get net zero emissions?

We have to wait for another 30 years at least. To reach net zero emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment worldwide will need to invest more than triple by 2030 to around app. US$4 trillion. This will create millions of new jobs, significantly lift global economic growth, and achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking worldwide by the end of the decade.

What is a net zero target?

A “net-zero” target refers to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by a selected date, but differs from zero carbon, which requires no carbon to be emitted as the key criteria. Net-zero refers to balancing the amount of emitted greenhouse gases with the equivalent emissions that are either offset or sequestered.

Why is net zero important?

Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. The term net zero is important because – for CO2 at least – this is the state at which global warming stops.

Is net zero even possible?

International Energy Agency (IEA) says 'yes'. IEA report says:

• The world can reach net zero emissions by 2050, but it will require some big changes, according to a new study.
• Our energy systems will need to be totally transformed by 2050.
• Huge declines in the use of coal, oil and gas will be essential.

What is Net-Zero House Terms

A net-zero home is a house that is able to produce at least as much energy as it uses. ZERH stands for “Zero Energy Ready Home”—a home that's built with energy conservation in mind, and ready for additional energy-producing improvements, such as solar panels.

Some benefits of Net Zero Energy Homes

• Tax incentives. Many tax breaks and incentives exist for those who choose to own a Net Zero Energy home.
• Superior Insulation Quality.
• Energy savings and economy bills.
• Higher Resale Value.
• Minimizing your ecological footprint.
• Comfortable living space.
• Budget flexibility.

Is Net Zero an answer?

As defined earlier, net zero is a state where we add no incremental greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This means emissions output is balanced with removal of carbon from the atmosphere via carbon sinks (e.g. forests, mangroves, carbon capture, etc.). Essentially, what goes in must be removed to equal Net Zero.

How to Become a Net Zero Organisation

• Understand your current emissions.
• Set targets for reduction that are based on science.
• Deliver carbon reductions and efficiencies.
• Develop low carbon products or business models.
• Compensate for your current emissions.
• Develop climate projects now, as part of your future strategy.

Politics apart. Can nuclear power save the world?

Because nuclear power is reliable and can be deployed on a large scale, it can directly replace fossil fuel plant, avoiding the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation. The use of nuclear energy today avoids emissions roughly equivalent to removing one-third of all cars from the world's roads.

Are any countries net zero?

As far as early achievers go, Bhutan and Suriname are the only two countries that have achieved carbon neutrality and are actually carbon negative (removing more carbon than they emit). Uruguay’s 2030 target is the earliest to try and match that feat, followed by Europe’s Finland, Austria, Iceland, Germany, and Sweden, who are all targeting 2045 or earlier.

Only five countries have net zero pledges set for after 2050, including Australia and Singapore, which haven’t set a firm target yet. Targeting 2060, in addition to Ukraine and Kazakhstan, is the world’s largest emitter, China. The country’s recent pledge is significant, since China accounts for an estimated 25% of global emissions.

Net zero is about recognising the fact that we are already too late and need to develop technologies to extract carbon. Carbon extraction also has global risks and ramification that needs to be well understood as this field matures. Consider engineered oceanic algae blooms could extract vast amounts of carbon, but equally would deplete the ocean of oxygen wiping out many fish, unless the impact can be mitigated. We need to start investing in carbon extraction; and net zero is an obvious driver of small scale ideas, which will help us develop better large scale strategies.