“Net-Zero” Is A Dangerous Distraction

The document characterizes "net-zero by 2050" pledges as a "dangerous greenwashing gimmick" that allows polluters to maintain a facade of climate action while protecting profits. It argues that net-zero is fundamentally different from "zero emissions" and relies on "unjust offsetting schemes," unproven technologies, and geoengineering. The authors contend that these schemes perpetuate environmental racism and injustice, particularly in BIPOC and low-wealth communities. The document demands that the United States, as a major historical polluter, achieve absolute greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030, keep fossil fuels in the ground, eliminate industrial wood biomass and factory farming, and provide international finance and technical assistance to developing countries.

• Net-zero pledges are described as a "dangerous greenwashing gimmick" and a "scheme" used by polluting corporations and governments to protect power and profits while appearing to take action.
• The concept of net-zero is criticized for relying on unproven technologies, geoengineering, large-scale land grabs, and offsetting schemes, which the authors claim is not equivalent to achieving "zero emissions."
• Net-zero strategies are argued to be socially unjust, specifically by maintaining "pollution hotspots" in low-wealth and BIPOC communities, thereby perpetuating environmental racism.
• The document asserts that the United States must prioritize absolute emissions reductions by 2030 over 2050 targets, eliminate non-fossil climate pollution such as factory farming and industrial wood biomass, and support a Just Transition to renewable energy and agroecology.

APA

Global Witness (2021). “Net-Zero” Is A Dangerous Distraction. https://globalwitness.org/documents/11/2021.10.27-Net-Zero-Is-A-Dangerous-Distraction-NGO-letter-final.pdf

Chicago

Global Witness. “Net-Zero” Is A Dangerous Distraction. 2021. https://globalwitness.org/documents/11/2021.10.27-Net-Zero-Is-A-Dangerous-Distraction-NGO-letter-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Global Witness |title=“Net-Zero” Is A Dangerous Distraction |date=27 October 2021 |url=https://globalwitness.org/documents/11/2021.10.27-Net-Zero-Is-A-Dangerous-Distraction-NGO-letter-final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{globalwitness2021netzero, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{“Net-Zero” Is A Dangerous Distraction}}, publisher = {Global Witness}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://globalwitness.org/documents/11/2021.10.27-Net-Zero-Is-A-Dangerous-Distraction-NGO-letter-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }