COP21 Q&A: What Is GHG Emissions Neutrality in the Context of the Paris Agreement?

This document defines GHG emissions neutrality as net zero anthropogenic emissions across all sectors, distinguishing it from carbon neutrality by its inclusion of non-CO2 gases. It outlines specific timelines to reach net zero to limit warming to 1.5°C or 2°C, noting that unabated fossil-fuel use must cease this century and the electricity sector must significantly increase its low-carbon share by 2050.

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions neutrality is defined as net zero anthropogenic GHG emissions across all sectors. This is primarily achieved by reducing total emissions as close to zero as possible, with any remaining gases balanced by removals, such as enhanced sequestration in the land sector, or negative emissions via future technologies like bioenergy combined with carbon capture and sequestration.
• GHG neutrality differs from carbon neutrality because it encompasses all greenhouse gases, including methane, whereas carbon neutrality only addresses carbon dioxide. In 2012, non-CO2 greenhouse gases accounted for 23% of emissions.
• The timeframe for achieving net zero emissions depends on the temperature goal. To likely limit warming to below 2 degrees C, carbon dioxide emissions must reach net zero between 2060 and 2075, and total GHG emissions between 2080 and 2090. To likely limit warming to 1.5 degrees C, carbon dioxide emissions must reach net zero between 2045 and 2050, and total GHG emissions between 2060 and 2080.
• Achieving GHG neutrality requires a zero-carbon transformation across sectors. According to the IPCC, most stringent mitigation scenarios for limiting warming to 2 degrees C require the electricity sector to increase its low-carbon energy share from 30 percent to over 80 percent by 2050, with fossil-based electricity generation without CCS phased out by the end of the century.
• To limit warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees C, emissions must be phased out entirely before 2100, and unabated fossil-fuel use must end within this century.

APA

World Resources Institute (2015). COP21 Q&A: What Is GHG Emissions Neutrality in the Context of the Paris Agreement? https://www.wri.org/insights/cop21-qa-what-ghg-emissions-neutrality-context-paris-agreement

Chicago

World Resources Institute. COP21 Q&A: What Is GHG Emissions Neutrality in the Context of the Paris Agreement? 2015. https://www.wri.org/insights/cop21-qa-what-ghg-emissions-neutrality-context-paris-agreement.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=COP21 Q&A: What Is GHG Emissions Neutrality in the Context of the Paris Agreement? |date=11 December 2015 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/cop21-qa-what-ghg-emissions-neutrality-context-paris-agreement |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2015cop21, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{COP21 Q\&A: What Is GHG Emissions Neutrality in the Context of the Paris Agreement?}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2015}, month = dec, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/cop21-qa-what-ghg-emissions-neutrality-context-paris-agreement}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }