Author: Oskar Pecyna
What is Net Zero?
Net zero is a state where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount of emissions removed or offset, resulting in no additional accumulation of these gases.
This requires a multifaceted approach to address emissions across various sectors. Including agriculture, energy, transportation, and others.
Agriculture contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through activities such as livestock farming, deforestation, and the use of fertilizers.
The energy sector is one of the largest sources of GHG emissions, primarily coming from the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity and power vehicles.
The transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Most vehicles rely on fossil fuels, particularly gasoline and diesel. Internal combustion engines in cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes burn these fuels, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere and leading to global warming and climate change.
Our Green Goals
Reduce our emissions by at least 43% by 2030
Emissions must be cut by 45% by 2030 to adhere to the goal set in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C.
To accomplish that, we need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources, promote the adoption of electric vehicles, and raise public awareness about the urgency of climate action and the benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Policies are now enacted and enforced to support these emission targets.
Get 90% of our energy from renewable sources
Achieving this goal needs a multifaceted approach. Governments and private entities invest in building renewable energy infrastructure, including wind farms, solar parks, hydroelectric plants, and geothermal facilities. These projects increase the capacity for renewable energy generation. International cooperation and collaboration enable countries to share best practices, experiences, and resources in renewable energy deployment.
Be carbon net-zero by 2050
Research efforts have focused on improving carbon capture and storage technologies. Carbon capture technologies only aim to stop at least 90% of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere. Currently, researchers with the collaboration of the government are innovating new technologies that are better than carbon capture technology to decarbonise our economy.
Collaboration between governments, private sector entities, academia, and civil society organizations facilitates knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and joint initiatives to advance renewable energy deployment and achieve carbon net zero by 2050.
According to a recent report from the Climate Action Tracker, Australia has the potential to achieve decarbonization of its energy system by 2050. This can be accomplished by significantly increasing climate action efforts within its electricity supply and energy consumption sectors. The report suggests that such actions could lead to the creation of approximately 76,000 additional jobs specifically within the renewable energy sector.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Implementing these strategies requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, industry stakeholders, communities, and individuals. While progress is being made in many regions, achieving these goals will likely require continued commitment, innovation, and collaboration over the coming years.
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