Climate & Environment
Real Zero
Eliminating emissions directly rather than balancing them with offsets — a deliberate contrast to offset-reliant net zero.
Definition
Real zero denotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero (or as near as physically possible) through direct elimination — rather than achieving a net figure by purchasing offsets to compensate for continuing emissions. The term is used by scientists, campaigners and companies to criticise net zero strategies that lean heavily on credits, stressing that the atmosphere responds to actual emissions, not to accounting balances.
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