What is net zero and climate change?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines net zero emissions as when greenhouse gas emissions are balanced globally, by the intentional removal of greenhouse gases through human activity. A greenhouse gas is a gas, such as carbon dioxide and others, that absorbs and emits radiant energy causing the greenhouse effect.
Human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, significant and measurable changes have occurred in our global climate. These long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns are known as climate change.
To tackle climate change and its negative impacts, in 2015 world leaders reached a breakthrough. They committed to the historic and legally binding international treaty called the Paris Agreement, which set long-term goals to guide all nations (and therefore businesses) to reduce global greenhouse emissions.