The world is going green because it cannot afford not to.

The amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century has been steadily increasing, leading to what we now call climate change brought on by a rapidly warming planet. 

The effects are visible for everyone to see, from more catastrophic flooding to storms of greater intensity and melting ice sheets that cause sea levels to rise and threaten small islands and coastal communities.  

The Industrial Revolution began in the United Kingdom, and this newfound economic expansion powered by fossil fuels such as coal was adopted by countries around the world. 

What is Net Zero?

Net Zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emitted and removed from the atmosphere.

It’s a goal that involves reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting the remaining amount.

The official definition

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines Net Zero as "a state where anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 emissions are balanced by anthropogenic removals of CO2 over a specified period, resulting in no additional warming effect".

This can be achieved through a combination of reducing emissions and greenhouse gas removal (GGR) techniques, both through biological approaches such as reforestation and negative emissions technologies (NETs) such as carbon capture and storage.

UK net-zero goal for 2050

It's in the UK that efforts are underway to limit or even roll back some of the environmental damage that has been caused due to human activity for economic purposes. 

The UK government is committed to tackling the threats created by climate change through legislation including the Climate Change Act of 2008 that will see Britain achieve net zero by 2050.

In this article, we'll explore the concept of net zero, what it means and how companies around the UK can have their own net-zero target and reduce emissions, doing their part to battle global warming.

The Ideas Behind the Net Zero Target

The concept of net zero emissions is aimed at combating the greenhouse effect.

This is where heat becomes trapped in the atmosphere due to gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) that are emitted by burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. 

Greenhouse gases aren't all bad; at a certain level, they're necessary for life to survive on Earth.

That's because CO2 and methane, along with water vapor, keeps some of the sun's warmth in the atmosphere. 

This creates a blanket effect that stops our planet from freezing over and sustains life.

But there are now far too many greenhouse gas emissions and they threaten to disrupt the natural balance we had been used to. 

Deforestation and animal agriculture -- soaking up CO2 and producing vast amounts of harmful methane, respectively -- are adding to Earth's woes.

Policies such as net zero being enacted by governments around the world are aimed at restoring the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by counteracting the amount of carbon emissions with a range of measures. 

They include phasing out the use of fossil fuels, transitioning to sustainable energy sources and making greater use of carbon sinks such as oceans, soil, and forests.

Related roles with job descriptions: Climate consultant | Carbon neutral consultant | Net Zero consultant

How Does the UK Plan to Reach Net Zero by 2050?

The UK's net zero target of 2050 is legally binding because it's part of the Climate Change Act, and positions the country as a leader in eliminating fossil fuels and going green. Before the legislation came into force, the UK had targeted slashing carbon emissions by 80 percent in the same timeframe. 

Britain's ambitious net zero goal is in line with the Paris Agreement set out in 2015 and signed by 196 parties to the UN Climate Change Conference in December that year. The pact's main target is to maintain "the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels" and strive "to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels."

The UK is moving toward this goal with:

Renewable Energy

• Making greater use of solar, wind, and tidal energy for sustainable power production. An example is the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which is slated to deliver 50 GW of electricity by 2030.

End to Fossil Fuels

• Using coal to generate electricity ended in the UK in 2024. Instead, an emphasis is being placed on alternatives like green hydrogen for heating and industrial manufacturing.  

Transportation

• Ban on Petrol and Diesel Vehicles: New petrol (gas) and diesel cars and vans will be banned in the UK by 2023 and hybrids five years later. 

Investment in Public Transport

• Rail networks will be expanded and existing lines electrified.
  
  

• People will be encouraged to cycle and walk to work or the shops instead of driving. 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure

• The UK will subsidize EV purchases and install thousands more charging stations around the country. 

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

• The UK government plans to invest in CCS initiatives to capture carbon emissions from manufacturing -- with projects like the North Sea Transition Deal and HyNet project in the northwest of England.

Nature-Based Solutions

• Millions of trees will be planted to absorb CO2 while at the same time helping to restore biodiversity across the UK. 

• Peatlands will be protected and rehabilitated so they can act as carbon sinks, soaking up and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide.

Related roles with job descriptions: Certified eco consultant | Carbon accountant | Sustainability consultant

A Carbon-Neutral UK (and World)

The threats posed by climate change are all too real and being faced all around the globe. This makes combating global warming one of the most important issues of our time. 

The UK is leading the world with its net zero strategy by compelling companies big and small to cut their carbon emissions and go green as the country and the entire world transitions to a low-carbon economy. 

But hitting the 2050 target will be challenging, for the government, enterprises and individuals. A change in the way we consume and think about energy will be required across society. Significant sums are needed for investment in new projects, as well as policy coordination among all stakeholders. 

If the government’s net zero goals are achieved in the coming decades, it will result in cleaner air, sustainable energy generation and an environment that is overall more resilient while climate change-related disasters are mitigated. 

It's not only about the health of the economy but protecting the planet and people’s lives.