NOT ZERO: How ‘net zero’ targets disguise climate inaction

The document critiques 'net zero' targets as a façade for continued pollution, highlighting the risks of relying on unproven carbon removal technologies and the injustice of shifting sequestration burdens to the global South. It calls for 'Real Zero' emissions, emphasizing the need for developed nations to take greater responsibility and implement systemic changes in energy, agriculture, and transport.

• The term 'net zero' is frequently used by major polluters and governments as a greenwashing tool to avoid responsibility and hide inaction or harmful activities regarding climate change.
• Many 'net zero' plans rely on carbon removal technologies and tree plantations that are unlikely to work at scale and may cause significant social and ecological harm, including land grabs in the global South.
• The reliance on carbon offsets and sequestration in the global South is described as a form of 'carbon colonialism,' shifting the burden of climate action to those least responsible for the crisis.
• Targets set for 2050 are considered insufficient and too distant, allowing current leaders to defer responsibility to successors while emissions continue to rise.
• Some corporations, specifically BP and Shell, have declared 'net zero by 2050' targets while planning to extract and burn 120% more fossil fuels than the limit required to keep global warming under 1.5°C.
• To avoid climate catastrophe, the document argues for 'Real Zero' emissions, which requires developed countries to rapidly stop polluting and restructure sectors such as energy, agriculture, transport, housing, and industry.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2020). NOT ZERO: How ‘net zero’ targets disguise climate inaction. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Not-Zero-report-Eng.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. NOT ZERO: How ‘net zero’ targets disguise climate inaction. 2020. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Not-Zero-report-Eng.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=NOT ZERO: How ‘net zero’ targets disguise climate inaction |date=October 2020 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Not-Zero-report-Eng.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternational2020not, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{NOT ZERO: How ‘net zero’ targets disguise climate inaction}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Not-Zero-report-Eng.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }