We’ve all heard the term net zero, but what exactly does it 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.

From countries and companies to individuals, tackling climate change is at the top of the agenda; and one way we can help to do this is by reaching net zero. The UK was the world’s first major economy to set a legally binding target of being net zero by 2050.

Net zero is important as it’s the best way we can tackle climate change by reducing global warming. What we do in the next decade to limit emissions will be critical to the future, which is why every country, sector, industry and each one of us must work together to find ways to cut the carbon we produce. Given the impact that carbon emissions have on our planet, one might wonder why we aren’t aiming for zero, or real zero, rather than net zero. Real zero would mean stopping all emissions, which isn’t realistically attainable across all sectors of our lives and industry. Even with best efforts to reduce them, there will still be some emissions. Net zero looks at emissions overall, allowing for the removal of any unavoidable emissions, such as those from aviation or manufacturing. Removing greenhouse gasses could be via nature, as trees take CO2 from the atmosphere, or through new technology or changing industrial processes.

Evidence shows that our planet has been getting hotter. The warmest 20 years on record have been in the last 22 years according to the World Meteorological Organization. Global average temperatures are now 1.2°C (2.16°F) higher than in the pre-industrial era. A degree doesn’t sound like a lot, but the reality is that this incremental warming already appears to be having a negative impact. What’s more, if recent trends continue, this is set to worsen, with predictions of global temperatures increasing by as much as 2.7°C (4.86°F) by 2100. Even with this tiny rise in global temperatures we are feeling the effects of climate change, with erratic weather patterns, including heatwaves, floods and severe storms, loss of polar ice, and rising sea levels. This will only get worse if global warming intensifies.

It’s widely recognized by scientists and governments that climate change is being triggered by higher levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gasses are water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. CO2 is the most dangerous and abundant of the greenhouse gasses, which is why cutting carbon emissions, carbon footprints or seeking low-carbon alternatives are suggested as ways to address climate change.

The excess of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is triggering harmful global warming, so reducing the amount of these gasses should help to tackle climate change. In our upcoming blogs, we will be exploring our role and contribution in this ongoing climate issue in more detail. Stay tuned to The Critical Script for more updates on matters like this.