Clarification on net zero
Aiming for net zero has become synonymous with climate leadership – but at the same time it has received criticism as a concept that, if wrongly approached, can actually allow organisations to avoid transition.
This was recognised by UN Secretary General António Guterres in his speech on the opening day of COP26, in which he stated: “There is a deficit of credibility and a surplus of confusion over emissions reductions and net-zero targets.”
Following a recent survey indicating that around 60% of IEMA respondents are now working for organisations with net-zero commitments, we have been working to support a greater consensus and credible underpinning for net-zero approaches. This included a recent workshop contributing to the COP26 Climate Champions Race to Zero consultation. In October we also published a net-zero ‘explainer guide’ (bit.ly/IEMA_NetZero) and a climate action ‘toolbox’ (bit.ly/IEMA_Toolbox); available to all IEMA members, these resources have been actively supported by IEMA’s Climate Change and Energy Network.