Net Zero commitments, as they stand now, continue to perpetuate false solutions and do not cut emissions at the source. By supporting Real Zero approaches, governments, businesses, and financial institutions can achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and keep global warming below the 1.5C guardrail.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates- With demands on governments to take bold action to halt fossil fuel expansion and lower carbon emissions during the UNFCCC COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) is releasing a policy analysis on the growing concerns of Net Zero pledges and promises by governments, businesses and financial institutions.

Examining the connections between Net Zero and false solutions, The Need for Real Zero Not Net Zero: Shifting from False Solutions to Real Solutions and a Just Transition demonstrates how Net Zero pledges can perpetuate ineffective or unproven technological fixes and market-based schemes. Net Zero also can have a negative impact on communities and countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis. The policy analysis details the need for a Real Zero approach to climate solutions, which provides a framework to effectively reduce emissions and mitigate pollution at the source while not relying on industrial scale technology and CCS to prevent further global warming.

Examples of Real Zero applications and practices include a just and rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, a fair and democratic renewable energy transition, a shift to agroecology and small-scale farmers, Indigenous and community-led reforestation and forest protection, an end to all fossil fuel subsidies, policies that halt fossil fuel expansion, and prioritization of women's leadership.

In conclusion the authors write:

“While Net Zero is the current standard approach to balancing out produced greenhouse gasses and keeping temperatures below 1.5°C, it does not mean it is the best or most credible solution. This policy brief outlines the need to critically assess the problems of the Net Zero pathway and examine Real Zero approaches to shift from false solutions to a Just Transition that centers on interdisciplinary research, community-led solutions and a climate justice framework. This brief demonstrates that Real Zero and a Just Transition present best practices and pathways forward for a healthy and equitable approach to addressing the climate crisis.“

Access the report at the link below:

https://www.wecaninternational.org/net-zero-real-zero

During COP28, WECAN will be coordinating several events, and policy interventions on root causes and false solutions, just transition, and women-led solutions and systemic change. Learn more here: https://www.wecaninternational.org/cop28