Achieving net zero is an essential action as part of the UK’s legally binding commitments made in the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 and made law in 2016, which aims to limit global warming to below 2˚C, and preferably under 1.5˚C.
GHG emissions must be reduced to zero by 2050. Reaching net zero in the UK will require extensive changes to be implemented across the economy. This will include moving away from fossil fuels towards extensive electrification and the development of a hydrogen economy.
It will require sizeable increases in energy and resource-use efficiencies and changes at the level of the individual with regard to the demand for certain carbon-intensive activities and major changes in current land management practices are needed.