COP29: Is Net Zero just a dream or an attainable goal?

Euronews spoke with a Vice-Chair of the IPCC and a leading expert in clean energy growth.

Transcript

00:00Net zero is a hot topic here at COP29, as we all try to limit global warming.

00:06But is it actually technically possible?

00:09Well, according to the world's leading scientists, yes it is.

00:12The IPCC has shown that not only is it possible, but there are multiple ways to get to net zero.

00:18Of course, none of them are easy. However, it is still possible.

00:22To reach net zero, you have to drive down your energy use as much as possible.

00:28And in Europe, that means reuse, recycle, repurpose, and get planting.

00:34Urban trees, for example, already urban trees capture 7 gigatons of carbon dioxide altogether,

00:40and every year an additional 400 megatons.

00:44So our cities would really benefit from much more big trees and infrastructure.

00:49They also bring down energy use, they also help with adaptation, with mental health,

00:54better livable cities, increasing property values.

00:57Existing technology means that the buildings in those tree-filled cities can be retrofitted

01:03so that they become energy producers rather than energy consumers.

01:07But there are many sectors, such as petrochemicals, steel, and cement,

01:11where it's impossible to operate without emitting CO2 into the atmosphere.

01:15So they're going to need to capture that carbon.

01:17And carbon capture technologies are proving expensive and difficult to scale.

01:22So are there any innovations that can fix it?

01:25I believe that we can become carbon neutral in our world by renewable energies,

01:31energy efficiency, all the solutions that exist.

01:35But they are not implemented fast enough,

01:38which means that we will need most probably direct air capture

01:43because we are not doing enough today,

01:45and we will need to pay this cost of inaction by putting a lot of money into direct air capture.

01:52The scientists and engineers are convinced that net zero is possible,

01:55and in many countries, including the EU, it's a legal obligation.

02:00However, fossil fuel use is still growing, and nobody believes that it's peaked,

02:05so we're going to need a huge shift in society as well as technology

02:09to get net zero on the road to reality.

02:12Jeremy Wilkes at COP29 in Azerbaijan for Euronews.