Strategies for embracing net removal in carbon management
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Net removers: Why net zero alone won’t solve the climate crisis
‘Net zero’ has captured the attention of the corporate world, with companies rushing to announce ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and pledging to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner. While it's an important step in reducing the impacts of climate change, companies must do more than just curb their own emissions – they must actively capture and sequester additional carbon from the atmosphere. This is where the ‘net removers’ come in.
Why are net removers so important? While net zero may sound reassuring, it's based on averages. It allows certain companies or industries, often seen as hard to abate due to technological limitations or entrenched practices, to offset their emissions by relying on others to make deeper cuts. However, this creates a fragile system.
Net zero relies on a delicate balance, where some companies or industries (the removers) reduce their emissions to offset the emissions of others (the reducers). The issue is that without enough net removers, this system can fall short and leave us facing even greater challenges in addressing the climate crisis.
Here's why focusing on net zero alone falls short.
The limits of relying on averages
The ‘hard-to-abate’ industries, such as cement production and aviation, are estimated to account for nearly a third of global emissions. While technological advancements hold promise, complete decarbonisation for these sectors remains elusive in the near future. Relying solely on net zero allows them to continue emitting, shifting the burden of mitigation onto others, potentially exceeding safe planetary boundaries.
The challenges of carbon offsets
The current reliance on carbon offsets, such as tree planting or renewable energy projects in developing countries, presents several challenges. Verification of offset legitimacy and permanence is often unclear, raising concerns about greenwashing and double counting. Moreover, relying solely on offsets does not address the fundamental problem: our continued dependence on carbon.
Limiting focus to emissions reduction
Net zero's focus on reduction alone risks limiting the potential of revolutionary carbon removal technologies. Methods such as direct air capture, enhanced weathering and biochar sequestration, while still in their early stages, have significant potential for actively removing carbon from the atmosphere. Focusing solely on net zero may overshadow these crucial innovations, delaying their development and deployment.
So, what's the solution? We need to shift focus from solely aiming for net zero to actively embracing the net remover revolution. Here are some things companies can do to become part of this critical movement.
Invest in carbon removal technologies
Go beyond offsetting and actively support the development and deployment of proven and promising carbon removal technologies. Partner with research institutions, startups and pilot projects, helping to scale up these solutions and accelerate their integration into the global clean energy mix.
Advocate for policy change
Push for strong carbon pricing mechanisms that incentivise and reward genuine carbon removal, not just offsets. Lobby for supportive policies that promote research, development and deployment of these technologies, creating a level playing field for net removers to thrive.
Rethink business models
Move beyond ‘reduce and offset’ towards models that actively sequester carbon. Explore opportunities to incorporate carbon removal into your core business, from bio-based products that store carbon to sustainable production processes that capture and utilise carbon dioxide.
Be transparent
Be upfront about your emissions, both current and projected. Clearly differentiate between true carbon removal and mere offsets. Showcase your commitment to becoming a net remover, inspiring others to join the movement.
Conclusion
The path to a truly climate-resilient future demands more than just a balancing act. We need net removers – those who actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. By investing in technology, advocating for change and rethinking our business models, companies can become pioneers in this carbon-constrained world, leaving a legacy that goes beyond net zero to net positive impact.
Let's stop focusing only on greenwashing and concentrate on the transformative potential of net removers. We can change the course of climate action, not just by reducing our footprint but by actively drawing down the excess carbon already threatening our planet.
This is not only a call to action for companies but for collective effort. Consumers, investors and policymakers all have a role to play in creating the conditions for net removers to thrive. By supporting their efforts, demanding transparency and advocating for supportive policies, we have a chance to drive change for the benefit of all mankind.