Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘NET-ZERO’ goal for 2050, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It means that a country will bring down its emissions to zero by 2050.
It means that a country's emissions will be compensated by absorption and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect. Net-Zero Emissions do not mean that a country must completely eliminate all Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Instead, any remaining Residual Emissions must be balanced by removing an equivalent quantity of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Therefore, Gross-Zero Emissions and Net-Zero Emissions are different concepts. The year 2050 is associated with an important global climate target, but not every country has the same deadline for achieving Net-Zero.
Statement 2 is correct. Net-Zero is achieved when Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas Emissions are balanced by Greenhouse Gas Removals from the atmosphere. For example, if a country emits 100 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually and removes an equivalent 100 million tonnes during the same period, its net emissions become zero. Emissions may continue, but their net contribution to the atmosphere becomes zero.
Achieving Net-Zero primarily requires substantial emission reductions through decreased fossil fuel consumption, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and clean technologies. Remaining emissions may then be balanced through Afforestation, Reforestation, Soil Carbon Sequestration, and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). Avoiding new emissions and removing previously emitted greenhouse gases from the atmosphere are distinct processes.
The 2050 target is associated with efforts to limit Global Warming to approximately 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. According to the IPCC Special Report published in 2018, global pathways consistent with this target require reducing net anthropogenic CO₂ emissions by approximately 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching Net-Zero around 2050. Individual countries may have different timelines. India announced its target of achieving Net-Zero by 2070 during COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.