What does net zero by 2050 actually mean?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced his Coalition government has agreed to aim for net zero emissions by 2050.

But what does net zero mean, and how do you get there?

As the world edges closer to COP26, a crucial United Nations climate summit hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, we answer the big questions about net zero 2050.

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What are net zero emissions?

Net zero emissions means removing as much greenhouse gas from the atmosphere as what's emitted, so the net amount added is zero.

And 2050 is a target date?

That's right.

But it's important to note that Australia is only committing to the 2050 net zero goal, it is not a legally binding target.

Some Western countries have made their net zero targets a legally binding goal, and critics of Mr Morrison argue Australia needs to follow suit.

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How do you achieve net zero?

Australia, its companies and farmers will need to rely on natural methods or use technology to "capture" the gas and store it away where it won't escape into the atmosphere.

What kind of natural methods?

Things like planting trees or restoring grasslands to soak up carbon dioxide (CO2), the most abundant greenhouse gas we emit.

And tech?

This is broadly about investment into green technologies, including solar and clean energy sources.

New technology is also being developed to literally suck carbon from the air near facilities which burn gas, coal and oil.

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What about carbon sinks?

Yes, Mr Morrison alluded to this when he spoke about 90 million hectares of productive agricultural land in Australia which can be used as a carbon sink.

By carbon sinks, scientists are describing a reservoir which absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and locks it away.

And there are artificial carbon sinks too?

There sure are.

You might have heard the term carbon capture and storage.

Carbon sucked from the air can be stored, usually buried in reservoirs underground or below the floor of the sea, in artificial carbon sinks.

Some scientists are unsure about the potential consequence of using this practice on a large scale.

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