The bridge to net zero matters more than the destination

A research paper by the NewClimate Institute analyzing the alignment between the net-zero targets of 20 countries and their short-to-mid-term emissions policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

• Net-zero targets do not imply the total elimination of emissions; instead, they result in significant residual emissions that countries plan to offset with carbon dioxide removal (CDR). On average, remaining emissions in the net-zero target year account for 21% of 2019 levels, with a range between 6% and 59%. In absolute terms, these residual emissions are estimated at 3.4–12.6 GtCO₂e, representing approximately 9% to 33% of global 2019 emissions.
• There is a misalignment between current national policies, 2030 NDC targets, and long-term net-zero goals. Emissions under current policies are decreasing at a rate of -0.2% per year between 2019 and 2030, while meeting 2030 NDCs would increase the reduction rate to -0.7% per year. To achieve net-zero targets, an annual reduction rate of -3.8% is required from 2030 onwards.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2024). The bridge to net zero matters more than the destination. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/the-bridge-to-net-zero-matters-more-than-the-destination

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. The bridge to net zero matters more than the destination. 2024. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/the-bridge-to-net-zero-matters-more-than-the-destination.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=The bridge to net zero matters more than the destination |date=13 December 2024 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/the-bridge-to-net-zero-matters-more-than-the-destination |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2024bridge, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{The bridge to net zero matters more than the destination}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/the-bridge-to-net-zero-matters-more-than-the-destination}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }