COMMENTARY: What Actions Will Achieve Net-Zero GHG Emissions? – Yogi Schulz – Part 2 of 3

Achieving net-zero emissions is a critical goal in the fight against climate change. It refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed. To reach net-zero, a comprehensive set of energy transition actions is required:

1. Across most sectors of the economy.
2. By almost all nations of the world.
3. With leadership from various multi-national organizations.

This article is part 2 of a three-part series. Click here to read part 1.

Industrial decarbonization

The industrial sector is responsible for 24% of global GHG emissions, as illustrated by the Global GHG emissions by Sector chart above. Achieving net-zero emissions requires the following:

1. Deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies in industrial processes, such as oil & natural gas, cement, steel, and chemical production.
2. Implementing emerging production technologies with lower GHG emissions.
3. Researching ways to use more captured CO2 in commercial applications.
4. Increasing the use of recycled materials.
5. Adopting more circular economy concepts.
6. Improving energy efficiency in industrial processes.

Throwing up roadblocks to industrial investments is counter-productive to achieving net-zero.

Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies

Governments must eliminate subsidies supporting fossil fuel production, refining, and consumption. Many nations operate shockingly expensive consumption subsidies.

Redirecting these financial resources towards:

1. Debt repayment and infrastructure improvement can improve the lives of many citizens.
2. Renewable energy research, development, and deployment can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The chart below illustrates the enormity of these fossil fuel consumption subsidies in some countries.

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Source: Ranking the fossil fuel subsidizing countries in 2019, ResearchGate, January 2022

These national subsidies encourage energy waste that undermines net-zero goals. Political realities and the time required for consumers to adjust to higher prices suggest phasing out subsidies will take time.

Energy efficiency and conservation

Improving energy efficiency in buildings, industries, and appliances is a cost-effective way to reduce GHG emissions. This transition involves:

1. Implementing stricter energy efficiency standards.
2. Further developing and promoting energy-efficient technologies.
3. Retrofitting existing infrastructure.
4. Raising awareness about energy conservation practices.
5. Reducing energy waste through smart grid systems and energy management technologies.

The chart below indicates significant global spending on energy efficiency improvements. How sufficient this expenditure is to achieve net-zero is unclear.

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Source: In charts: Global progress on energy efficiency, Financial Times, December 5, 2021

Many households and businesses think that their individual contributions to energy efficiency and conservation are so small as to be immaterial. This thinking and resistance to change slow the transition to net-zero.

Research and innovation

Continued investment in research and development is vital for achieving net-zero emissions. Emerging technologies that can benefit from more funding include:

1. Many ideas to advance energy storage cost and efficiency.
2. Cost reduction of carbon capture and storage.
3. Direct air capture of GHG emissions.
4. Innovation in sustainable agriculture.
5. Advances in air and rail transportation.
6. Revised industrial processes, especially steel and cement production.
7. Creating valuable chemicals from captured O2.

Some have discounted the value of breakthrough technologies in addressing climate change. However, breakthrough technologies have solved all the problems humanity has encountered in the past. Climate change is no different.

Collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector will drive innovation and scale up promising solutions.

Sustainable land use, ocean use and agriculture

Land use, ocean use and agriculture contribute to GHG emissions through:

1. Deforestation – Reduces desirable CO2 capture.
2. Livestock production – Generates significant methane emissions.
3. Nitrogen fertilizer use – Generates nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.
4. Ocean pollution – Undermines the ability of the oceans to sequester carbon.

Protecting and restoring forests, reducing ocean pollution, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and reducing food waste are essential for net-zero emissions. Implementing regenerative agricultural techniques, such as organic farming, agroforestry, and precision farming, can help sequester carbon in soils and reduce GHG emissions. New and improved plant species can reduce water, fertilizer and pesticide usage.

Those who suggest not harvesting forests at all, ceasing livestock production and abandoning fertilizer don’t recognize these actions lead to reduced quality of life and perhaps mass starvation.

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