Know This About Net Zero – JSTOR Daily

“Net Zero”: A Pathway Towards Sustainable Development

The Importance of Net Zero in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Introduction
• The concept of achieving net zero carbon emissions has gained significant attention in climate science and policy.
• Nations, states, cities, corporations, and individuals are all striving to achieve net zero in order to meet the goals set by the Paris Climate Accord and address the urgent need for environmental sustainability.
• However, the term “net zero” is often misunderstood and misused by certain actors who seek to appear environmentally conscious without taking meaningful action.

2. Defining Net Zero
• According to the University of Oxford’s Net Zero Group, net zero is both an action and an end state.
• As an action, going net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or balancing ongoing emissions with removals.
• The concept of net zero emerged as a response to anthropogenic climate change caused by human activities such as land clearing and burning of fossil fuels.
• By altering the carbon cycle, humans have disrupted the Earth system, leading to imbalances and adverse effects such as global warming, storms, droughts, and floods.

3. The Role of Net Zero in Climate Mitigation
• While natural processes remove carbon from the atmosphere, humans can enhance this capacity through ecosystem management and technology.
• Net zero emissions by 2050, as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, can help limit global warming to approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius and allow the Earth’s system to recover from centuries of carbon accumulation.

4. The Challenge of Greenwashing
• Greenwashing, the dissemination of misleading information about environmental performance, has created confusion among the public regarding net zero goals.
• Many institutions rely on carbon offsetting as a strategy to meet their emissions reduction targets, rather than focusing on internal decarbonization.
• However, this approach can be seen as an “easy way out” that allows continued greenhouse gas emissions without addressing the root causes.
• Furthermore, some carbon offset projects do not effectively remove excess emissions or prioritize biodiversity and ecosystem health.

5. Towards Inclusive Net Zero Pathways
• Net zero pathways should go beyond carbon reduction and consider broader environmental remediation and justice for vulnerable communities.
• Solely aiming for net zero by 2050 may delay urgent climate action and rely on unproven technologies without considering equity and justice.
• An inclusive net zero approach involves addressing emissions, promoting positive environmental outcomes, and fostering justice and equity simultaneously.
• This comprehensive vision is essential for building a sustainable and equitable future for all.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the concept of “net zero” and its connection to climate change and environmental remediation. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of ecosystem management and the restoration of ecosystems, which relates to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests

The article emphasizes the need for institutions, corporations, and governments to align their actions and policies with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This aligns with SDG 13.2, which calls for the integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of ecosystem management and the development of carbon removal technologies, which relates to SDG 15.2’s target of promoting sustainable forest management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries with integrated climate change measures in their national policies, strategies, and planning
• Indicator for SDG 15.2: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards SDG 13.2 can be measured by tracking the number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into their national policies, strategies, and planning. For SDG 15.2, progress can be measured by monitoring the forest area as a proportion of the total land area.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: daily.jstor.org

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