Recent years have seen substantial growth in both public and private sector commitments to achieving carbon neutrality, or “net zero,” as a core strategy to combat climate change. At a high level, achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by 1) balancing the production of emissions with their removal, or 2) eliminating emissions altogether – i.e., by transitioning to zero-carbon energy. Both of these paths, and the variety of technologies and tactics underpinning them, are key areas of current focus for both public and private sector participants.
- Global investment in climate-change mitigation and adaptation strategies has grown almost 60% over the past decade, with almost half of climate finance provided by the private sector. Yet the world is not on track to reach globally agreed goals.
- Renewable energy investments such as solar, wind, and hydropower have been the core elements of current efforts to reduce reliance on carbon-based fuels. More recently, both public and private sector investors are broadening their focus, advocating an “all hands on deck” approach to climate solutions that encompasses renewable energy, non-renewable zero-carbon energy (e.g., nuclear), and “carbon-negative” solutions – ways to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere.
- In Pathstone's new report we highlight less well known zero-carbon or carbon-negative solutions. We provide a brief recap of the science, key current net-zero approaches, and the growing (albeit still small) opportunity set for carbon-negative investments. We also look at some of the more early-stage or “edge” ideas as well as examples of innovative products and services targeting a zero-carbon future.
