What is net zero, and why is it important?

• Net zero is a goal to balance greenhouse gas removal vs emissions
• The aim is to get to the point where emissions caused by human activity are negated
• The goal is ‘net zero’ emissions overall

According to the University of Oxford, net zero refers to a state whereby greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that enter the atmosphere are balanced out by their removal. 

It is a term often used with ‘carbon neutral’, and while they have the same goal of reducing GHG emissions, they are different. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says net zero CO2 is needed by 2050 to stay within the 1.5C warming climate threshold. Energy, fashion, transport and agriculture are some of the most-polluting industries.

Installing low-carbon technology like solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles in our homes helps reduce our CO2 emissions.

In this guide, we’re going to go into detail about what net zero is and why most countries have their own net zero emissions goals. 

What is net zero?

Net zero is the balance between the amount of GHG that’s produced and the amount that’s removed. We achieve net zero through reducing emissions or removing them. 

In simple terms, we can look at the example provided by the National Grid. “Think about it like a bath – turn on the taps and you add more water, pull out the plug and water flows out. The amount of water in the bath depends on both the input from the taps and the output via the plughole. To keep the amount of water in the bath at the same level, you need to make sure the input and output are balanced.” 

We can apply this to net zero. We need to balance the input and output of GHG. When we achieve this, we reach net zero. 

What is the global net zero target?

Net zero is the internationally agreed goal for mitigating global warming in the second half of the 21st century.

In the legally-binding Paris Agreement, which came into force on the 4th November 2016, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated its goal was to hold back “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

Many countries, governments, corporations and businesses are aiming to achieve absolute zero or net zero emissions by 2050, in a bid to balance CO2 levels in the earth’s atmosphere, and reduce the impact of catastrophic climate change around the world.

Will we achieve net zero?

As of right now, and despite the efforts we’ve seen on climate action around the world, the progress is happening far too slowly for the world to hold back a temperature rise to 1.5C

According to the WRI, the United Nations found that all climate policies currently in place point to a 2.8C temperature rise by the end of the century. 

In that case, how do we achieve net zero?

“In pathways to 1.5C, zero-carbon sources will need to supply 98%-100% of electricity by 2050. Energy-efficiency and fuel-switching measures are critical for reducing emissions from transportation,” the WRI says.

“Improving the efficiency of food production, changing dietary choices, restoring degraded lands and reducing food loss and waste also have significant potential to reduce emissions.” 

Of course, you can also invest in renewable energy sources, like solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles.

There are grants, funding and finance schemes available to help you reduce the upfront costs of these big-ticket low-carbon technology, or you could try one of these 12 ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home.

Is net zero the same as carbon neutral?

Carbon neutral and net zero are often used interchangeably because they have the same goal, but they are in fact different. 

Carbon neutrality is about compensating for CO2 emissions through a process called carbon offsetting, while net zero is finding that balance between input and output of GHG emissions. 

Carbon neutrality is also usually talked about on a smaller scale by companies and businesses who want to limit or reduce their emissions.

Net zero, on the other hand, is a global objective that will be achieved through the collective efforts of governments, individual efforts and the private sector. 

The distinction between the two is vital because achieving net zero is a surer way to reduce global emissions rather than trying to be carbon neutral. 

To find out more about the differences, check out our guide, Carbon neutral vs net zero: What’s the difference?

Is net zero the same as ‘gross zero’?

‘Gross Zero’ and net zero are different, despite the similar names. ‘Gross zero’ emissions is the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere that would need to be fully offset or eliminated in order to reach net zero. 

Meanwhile, as we know, net zero refers to overall emissions. 

“In order for a company or nation to be considered net zero, their emissions must equal the amount of carbon they are removing from the atmosphere through various means,” Net0 reported.

What are the UK’s plans to achieve net zero?

According to UK government’s Net Zero Initiative roadmap, published in December 2023, it aims to:

• Reduce all direct emissions from public sector buildings by 50% and 75% by 2032 and 2037 respectively, against a 2017 baseline.
• All UK emissions are to reach net zero by 2050.
• Each nation within the UK also has its own goals. Scotland aims to reach net zero from all emissions by 2045, Wales has an ambition to reach net zero from all emissions by 2045 and Northern Ireland aims to reduce its government emissions by 30% by 2030. 

Changes intended to help achieve these goals include:

• Ban sales of petrol and diesel cars from 2035 
• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme increased by 50% to £7,500
• Ban installation of oil and LPG boilers and new coal heating, for off-gas-grid homes to 2035, instead of phasing them out from 2026. 

Policy ideas that would require people to share cars, eat less meat and dairy, be taxed flights, or having ‘seven bins’ for their household waste and recycling targets were said to be scrapped by former-PM Rishi Sunak – such as they ever existed. 

However, with a new Labour government, some of the means to reaching net zero may change. They have already announced that they would scrap the 2035 gas boiler ban in favour of making heat pumps more accessible. 

Earlier this year, the government also made it easier for consumers to recycle as councils are now required to collect more than ever before. 

How close are we to achieving net zero?

Countries across the world have made efforts towards meeting their net zero goals, but most are still a long way short of where they need to be. 

A 2022 analysis by the Net Zero Tracker notes that interest in such targets has “exploded but an alarming lack of credibility still pervades the entire landscape,” the report warned. 

It continued: “This is problematic because if some of the targets disguise inaction, it can create a false sense of progress.” 

This interest has only grown, especially following the 4 July 2024 UK elections.

A new poll from Focaldata and Persuasion UK of 20,000 British adults conducted by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit found that over half of voters who switched their vote from Conservative to Labour and Lib Dem believe government policy on climate change should be going further and faster than it has been. 

“Labour now has a clear mandate, particularly from some of its new voters, to go further and faster on net zero ambition. Indeed, if it is to deliver on its promise of growth as the manifesto itself set out and the likes of the CBI have said, green investment must be central to that,” said Alasdair Johnstone from the ECIU. 

Which industries contribute the most emissions?

We’ve made great progress towards our goal of net zero, but there are some industries that continue to generate high levels of emissions. 

These include:

• Energy (fossil fuels) – generates annual GHG emissions of 37.5bn tonnes 
• Transport – generates annual GHG emissions of 7.29bn tonnes
• Manufacturing & construction – generates annual GHG emissions of 6.22bn tonnes
• Agriculture – generates annual GHG emissions of 5.87bn tonnes
• Food retail – generates annual GHG emissions of 3.1bn tonnes
• Fashion – generates annual GHG emissions of 2.1bn tonnes

While these industries still create large amounts of GHG emissions, it’s not to say they aren’t changing.

Within energy, for example, more and more people are adopting renewable energy sources.

In transport, aviation is actually one the lower sources of emissions. Cars and other vehicles contribute 45.1% emissions, but this is in decline with the uptake of electric vehicles. 

In the fashion industry, more sustainable and environmentally-friendly clothes and food retail are making changes to their refrigeration systems and where they source their stock. These might seem like small changes in the grand scheme of things, but it’s the small changes that will add up to a bigger impact.  

What are the challenges in the way of net zero?

Achieving net zero is no easy feat, and while the benefits are clear, there are a lot of challenges in the way: 

• Setting realistic carbon targets – Achieving net-zero is not doable in one year. In fact, it will likely span across years, if not decades. Companies need to great realistic carbon targets or create a ‘staircasing’ style to reduce their carbon footprint. 
• Budget barriers – Becoming net-zero is expensive, which can be a challenge for businesses, industries, governments and individuals. The latest innovation utilising renewable energy remains costly (although they are slowly declining), but despite this, the savings typically outweigh the initial investment. There are also some grants available to help reduce this cost.
• Making net-zero a reality – Some businesses want to reduce their carbon footprint or go net-zero, but making the changes to their production lines, strategies, all while managing operations and managing external relationships is a challenge. 
• Supporting supply chains – Supporting existing supply chains is a challenge in itself, especially as they’ve worked in certain ways for so long. Most companies start with internal operations as this causes fewer complications before looking outward, which is where the challenge comes in.
• Choosing the right method – Like most things, changing processes to reduce emissions is all about trial and error. Choosing the right method is tricky, especially with the amount of information available.

How can I contribute to net zero?

Small changes add up and there’s plenty you can do to help governments reach their net zero targets: 

• Invest in renewable technologies – Innovations like solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles will not only help reduce emissions, but save you money in the long run. For solar panels and heat pumps, there are grants available to help mitigate some of the costs. 
• Insulate your home – Most newer properties will already be insulated, but older properties might not. Insulating your home can help keep your home warmer for longer, reducing your need for heating. 
• Install double glazed or triple glazed windows – Similar to the above, double and triple glazed windows can help keep the heat in your home and reduce your heating bills. 
• Change to low-energy or LED lighting – We all use lightbulbs across our home, but have you considered changing to low-energy or LED lighting? You’ll get the same levels of brightness, but your energy bills and emissions will be lower.
• Buy secondhand – Buying secondhand products means you’ll be contributing very little to CO2 emissions. Sites like Vinted, Depop and Ebay can help you find secondhand products online, as can charity shops.

Summary

• We achieve net zero through reducing emissions or removing GHG from the atmosphere.
• Countries across the world have made great strides towards getting closer to meeting their net zero goals, however, most are still too weak to kickstart the changes needed. 
• Within energy, for example, more and more people are adopting renewable energy sources and for transport, aviation is actually one the lower sources of emissions. 
• Small changes add up and there’s plenty you can do to help governments reach their net zero targets