Net zero and sustainable development

The burden of meeting global net zero must be shared fairly.

The Paris Agreement emphasises the need for an equitable transition – in efforts to reduce poverty, net zero needs to be achieved in the context of sustainable development.

A balancing of responsibilities may therefore be required – the global peaking of emissions may take longer for developing countries.

Different countries should tailor their paths to net zero, based on their national circumstances, with some reaching net zero faster to support those developing more slowly.

To achieve durable net zero without negative ecological and social consequences, plans need to be aligned with complementary sustainability objectives.

Climate change is interlinked with other socio-ecological challenges, many of which have the same root causes.

Net zero plans need to take these challenges into account, in order to simultaneously limit surface warming, slow biodiversity declines and support human societies.