Net Zero Intelligence Unit
Experience-led insights to accelerate global progress towards Net Zero.
About the Net Zero Intelligence Unit
The Net Zero Intelligence Unit provides experience-led insights to accelerate global progress towards Net Zero. The Unit is a dedicated team focussed on raising ambition, awareness and action on Net Zero by drawing on the Carbon Trust’s 20 years’ experience of working with businesses, governments and financial institutions globally.
Latest publications
- New beauty research: Greenhouse gloss
- Where does COP27 leave prospects for Net Zero?
- Accelerating Net Zero in Southeast Asia
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Consumer demand for ‘clean’ beauty is an opportunity to galvanise sector action on Net Zero.
Read the reportCOP27 will be remembered for its historic Loss and Damage fund but will be tarnished by a disappointing lack of ambition on the emissions reductions required for Net Zero.
Read the insightWith demand for energy in Southeast Asia set to increase by 80% by 2040, how can the region capitalise on energy efficiency to reach Net Zero and deliver sustainable development?
Find out moreThe Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was finally agreed on Monday 19 December. But what does the landmark deal for nature mean for Net Zero?
Discover moreAbout Net Zero
How can we achieve Net Zero?
Net Zero is the most comprehensive approach there is to securing a liveable planet. But how can we achieve it?
Net Zero is the most comprehensive approach there is to securing a liveable planet.
Achieving Net Zero involves making deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to get as close to zero as possible, and then actively removing from the atmosphere any emissions that really cannot be avoided. Once we achieve this balance of emissions and removals, global warming stops worsening.
There is scientific consensus that limiting global warming to 1.5°C will avoid the most catastrophic effects on our climate, and the Paris Agreement of 2015 set out an international commitment to pursue this target. Climate scientists have modelled the scenarios needed to call time on global warming and prevent us from surpassing 1.5°C. The pathways which achieve this have a common thread: halving our emissions this decade and reaching Net Zero by around 2050. Immediate action to reduce emissions is therefore essential.
Reaching Net Zero is essential to limit global warming to 1.5°C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. It is also achievable, provided ambitious action is taken now by policymakers, business leaders and financial decision makers. The Net Zero Intelligence Unit exists to shed light on how to make the transition happen.
The Net Zero Intelligence Unit has identified five system-wide enabling conditions that can unlock progress on Net Zero: awareness and ambition, governance, finance, technology and innovation, and a just transition. If policy, business and finance leaders across the world combine attention to implementing these five enabling conditions with an unrelenting commitment to transitioning the energy sector, we can deliver a Net Zero future.
The five system-wide conditions needed to make progress on Net Zero:
In the media
Explore our latest news coverage featuring insights from the Net Zero Intelligence Unit:
Vogue Business | Vogue Business discuss our latest report on Net Zero and the beauty sector
The Times | Nina Foster spoke to The Times about the lowering costs of sustainability
Financial Times | Simon Retallack is featured discussing phasing out fossil fuels and prioritising renewables
ENDS Report | “There is no room for new coal on the global path to Net Zero"
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Contact us
The Net Zero Intelligence Unit drives global momentum on Net Zero by building awareness, ambition and action. We provide insights that draw on the Carbon Trust’s 20 years’ experience of working with businesses, governments and organisations to reduce their carbon footprints.
The Net Zero Intelligence Unit’s Director (Simon Retallack) and Manager (Nina Foster) are available for media comment or interview. Please contact press@carbontrust.com. For event appearances please contact events@carbontrust.com.
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