Chapter 3

Set target

  1. Introduction
  2. Step 1: Understand the fundamentals of net zero target
  3. Step 2: Shape short and long-term targets to define your net zero commitment
  4. Step 3: Turn your targets into action
  5. Learn more
    1. Understand the role of carbon removals in your net-zero strategy
    2. 7 attributes for high-credibility net-zero targets
    3. Net zero comparable climate pledges
    4. Science Based Targets Initiative
    5. Case studies: net-zero strategies in action
    6. Climate Justice, biodiversity, and their relevance to net zero targets
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Understand the role of carbon removals in your net-zero strategy

Learn more about removals

In theory, there are two ways to address rising levels of GHGs in the atmosphere. We can reduce the creation of new GHGs (abatement) and increase the removal of existing ones (removal). In the context of SBTi net zero, as companies achieve their net zero targets, which are at least 90% reduced emissions for most sectors, they will need to neutralize their remaining emissions with removals.

Image: Visual explanation of carbon removals

Source: Ted Talks, Carbon Engineering

The IPCC has a taxonomy of carbon dioxide removals which includes both technological removals and nature-based solutions.

  • NCS: natural climate solutions

  • BECCS: bioenergy with carbon capture and storage

  • DACS: direct air capture

  • CDR: carbon dioxide removal

Image: Carbon dioxide removals

Source: IPCC AR6 WGIII, Chapter 12, AR6 Scenario Explorer hosted by International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)