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 will therefore be required, as the global peaking of emissions may take longer for developing countries.

Different countries and non-state entities should tailor their paths to net zero, based on their national circumstances, with some reaching net zero faster to enable those in developing countries to achieve their sustainable development goals.

To address the global issue of climate change, it is crucial we achieve durable net zero by 2050. In order 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. Climate change exacerbates these stressors, acting as a ‘threat multiplier’ and negatively impacting ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Biodiversity is a key determinant of ecosystem health and resilience, providing multiple benefits to society. Despite this, biodiversity is often overlooked in climate change policies. Many current net zero plans that focus only on carbon storage, such as planting monocultures of non-native trees, can impose negative consequences on biodiversity and local populations. To avoid this and instead deliver benefits to ecosystems and society, net zero plans need to be aligned with complementary objectives that protect and enhance the delivery of ecosystem services and are embedded into broader strategies for socio-ecological sustainability.