Zéro Emission Nette et la COP26

The document critiques the 'net zero' framework promoted by the UK presidency and the 'Race to Zero' initiative for COP26. It asserts that net zero ignores historical responsibility, relies on physically impossible natural carbon sinks, and serves as a 'Trojan horse' for dangerous geoengineering. The author distinguishes between 'removals' and 'offsets', arguing that the latter maintain the status quo and divert investment from systemic transformation. Friends of the Earth International demands a shift toward 'real zero' (absolute emissions reductions), the exclusion of polluting companies from COP26, and the fulfillment of climate finance obligations by Northern countries to support the Global South.

• The 'net zero' concept is used by governments and corporations, such as the UK government and Shell, to commit to 2050 targets while continuing the exploration and production of fossil fuels.
• Net zero targets are criticized for ignoring historical emissions and the 'climate debt' owed by developed Northern countries, which have emitted 2,390 billion tonnes of CO2 over the last 150 years.
• The document argues that natural carbon sinks are physically incapable of absorbing the billions of tonnes of carbon produced by fossil fuel combustion, and that such sinks are temporary and threatened by climate-induced droughts and wildfires.
• Net zero strategies often rely on unproven, expensive, and dangerous 'negative emissions' technologies or geoengineering, such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), Direct Air Capture, and solar radiation management.
• The briefing distinguishes between carbon removals and offsets, stating that offsets allow polluters to continue emitting and could create a market worth 50 to 100 billion USD by 2030, diverting funds from systemic energy and food transitions.
• Friends of the Earth International demands that COP26 focus on 'real zero' (absolute reductions), exclude polluting companies from the event, and ensure Northern countries provide technical and financial assistance to the South for a just transition.

APA

Stabinsky, D. (2021). Zéro Emission Nette et la COP26. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Zero-Emission-Nette-COP26.pdf

Chicago

Stabinsky, Doreen. Zéro Emission Nette et la COP26. Friends of the Earth International, 2021. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Zero-Emission-Nette-COP26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stabinsky |first1=Doreen |title=Zéro Emission Nette et la COP26 |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=October 2021 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Zero-Emission-Nette-COP26.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stabinsky2021zro, author = {Stabinsky, Doreen}, title = {{Zéro Emission Nette et la COP26}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Zero-Emission-Nette-COP26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }