What is net zero?

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Published 2021-07-30
More than 50 countries around the world have pledged to become net zero. But what does net zero actually mean—and is it achievable?

Find The Economist’s most recent coverage on climate change: econ.st/3zCt2uW

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Why do climate pledges fall short?: econ.st/3eVCYaI

What are nationally determined contributions to curb climate change?:econ.st/3iOi3Yz

How sincere are climate pledges?:econ.st/3l5yjqy

Decarbonising the world’s energy system: econ.st/3zQGMT1

All Comments (21)
  • @ChardonnayWest
    All videos pertaining to the subject of "net zero" should start with the fact that US does not have a target date for net zero.
  • @frogg8891
    I love how almost everyone talking about emissions shows stock images of cooling towers 🤣
  • @mirror1675
    My company says it "aspires to net zero by 2050", but has net zero plans to get there.
  • @TutorWindow
    Man made options are too small. We must use grasslands, forests, and kelp beds and plankton to remove carbon for us. They work 24/7/365 and don't ask for raises or need vacations. Nature: use it or lose.
  • @thetsoehtike
    net zero was the free dial up internet when I was in high school. lol
  • @AKaktusA
    I find this video misleading: 95% of emissions have to be cut. Carbon capture will be very expensive and can thus be only used for the last 5% of emissions we can't prevent. We can't simply carbon capture ourselves out of climate change.
  • @gauravayush5494
    Stop denying historic emmisions.. it's at the root of all forms of inequality across the world
  • @atyshlmes4360
    for the average American or Western European to get to the COP21 targets, they'd need to cut their 10 ton emissions per year to just 2 tons. that doesn't go through radical lifestyle and system changes such as degrowth or collapse. but the Economist won't tell you that.
  • @AhmedKMoustafa2
    You might need to explain Carbon Neutrality as well, because some sources are saying they are different
  • @saibamoe
    No, never. That's the realistic outlook.
  • @NotcoolNotcool
    Planting trees everywhere may not reduce the earth's temperature. Like if we plant trees in the sahara desert, there will be no rains in the Amazon forest and Indian subcontinent... There has to be deserts in that region to make the air flow. . We don't know what works for the Nature, and what does not. . All we can do is, not do too muchh carbonn emissions, and make life multi-planetary.
  • @BB-cf9gx
    Net zero heat in your house, net zero food on the table. That's what net zero means.
  • Net zero is when an airport plants trees to offset their emissions, then the forest the tree is in dries up due to climate change, and burns down, and then becomes a grassland or a desert. But the airport keeps the tree on its ledger still, it has "offset" the emissions.
  • @JohnAranita
    I discovered Mr. Vaitheeswaran on a DVD from the PBS series e² -- the economies of being environmentally conscious. The program makes me hopeful about countering global warming.
  • Why make rockets to land on the moon? We can not even solve the problems on the earth.😂
  • @nigh7swimming
    It's unfeasible for the aviation industry to switch from jet fuel to renewables. But renewables can offset those emissions in the long run.
  • @KyleRutledge
    What about nuclear? I didn't hear mention of that and from what I've researched it seems like a very viable option to drastically cut carbon emissions. The Gates foundation has been investing in this for years and are onto some really big things
  • Net zero is a way for corporations to not do anything until 29/12/2049 and then just move the date back