The Net Zero Imperative (Film)

The signs are everywhere that something new and critically important is happening right now when it comes to climate change. While the science of global warming has been clear for decades, what we're seeing today signals a seismic shift in how policymakers, business leaders and the public think and act on climate change. At the center of this change is a new net zero. Net zero is an idea that's quickly gone from the fringe to the focus for governments and businesses around the world. Why? Because it's clearer than ever that we are running out of time to prevent climate disaster and that to avert the worst effects of climate change, we need to act with much greater ambition collectively, right now. So what is net zero? A net zero world is a world in balance. One where we emit no more greenhouse gases than we are able to remove, either through natural means or through technology. Right now, we are way out of that balance. We are spewing vastly more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than we are taking out of it. And by the year 2030, it will be too late to avoid future catastrophes like dangerously high sea levels, intolerable heat, deadly droughts and the destruction of entire ecosystems. The United nations now says that climate change is code red for humanity. But there's a better path. The net zero path. To limit warming to 1.5 degrees, the level that scientists recommend, we must achieve net zero as a planet fast. What does that entail? Its six main things. First, reduce emissions dramatically. We need to cut them by more than half over the next 10 years alone, and at least half again in the decade after that. That will mean significant changes for all industries, but in particular, we will have to decarbonize our power grids and electrify our vehicles. Second, remove carbon. That means actively investing in the wide range of nature based and industrial solutions that we have to take carbon out of the atmosphere. Third, educate. We need to inspire a new mass consciousness that shifts us away from the destructive notion of infinite growth and towards the responsible and prosperous stewardship of our resources, our environment and our societies. Fourth, innovate. We need to energize an ecopreneur revolution to help innovators develop and scale the new technologies that we will need in order to get to net zero. According to the International Energy Agency, we can cut emissions in half by 2030 using existing and proven technologies. But to get all the way to net zero, we will need more. Fifth, advocate. Everyone is responsible for working towards the right mix of government policy that enables investment and innovation while also holding bad actors accountable. And lastly, reforest. We've gone from 6 trillion trees on Earth down to just 3 trillion today. And we're still deforesting at a rate of a football field every second. We need to protect and restore our planet's ability to regenerate forests and capture carbon. We need to do all of these things with the understanding that when it comes to this existential threat to our planet and our societies, we are all in this together. After all, climate change doesn't respect borders. Pollution from Beijing, Bangalore or Bakersfield contributes equally to sea rises in the Seychelles, crop failures in Mali or hurt. And whether a tree burns in Brazil or in Botswana, the planet suffers the same loss of precious biodiversity and carbon capture capacity. We also need to recognize that many of the communities that are the least responsible for the climate crisis are the most vulnerable to its impacts. And so, to succeed, the net zero transition must be a just and equitable one. Wealthy countries must ensure that lower income countries and communities have the support they need to make the net zero transition too. We all need to get there together. There's no way around it. The net zero transition will require the most dramatic collective mobilization in human history. But look around. There is unprecedented momentum right now, and that is cause for optimism. Governments are getting it. Countries that account for more than 2/3 of global GDP have already committed to net zero. That includes the two largest polluters in the world, the United States and China. Cities from Miami to Athens to Freetown are appointing high level heat officers to manage the health and economic risks of of extreme heat. Meanwhile, activists are moving from the streets to the boardrooms of the world's most powerful oil companies and winning court rulings that order energy majors to reduce their emissions. There's also an unprecedented effort to restore natural carbon capture. The World Economic Forum's one Trillion Tree program is working to plant trees, restore land and generate sustainable long term bioeconomies in the United States, India, the Amazon and the Sahel. And corporations, philanthropists and governments alike are all stepping up to join the movement. Inspired by international advocacy groups like Global Citizen. Day to day norms are changing too. Today you can no longer rent out an energy inefficient home in the United Kingdom or take short domestic flights in France. And within a few years, you won't even be able to buy a new petrol powered car at all. In Europe, in China or in California, the world's fifth largest economy. Simply put, the world is changing around us. Around you. A majority of people polled globally consider climate change an emergency today. And they expect their political and business leaders to act now. So for every moment that you delay, the path we need to take to net zero will get rockier, steeper, and much, much more painful. But we can reach net zero smoothly if all parts of society work together. The net zero future is one where governments set firm net zero targets and actively regulate in favor of low carbon activities. Where investors put their money behind companies that are working towards net zero, leaving climate unfriendly, companies starved of capital. And where individuals weave climate awareness fully into their daily choices. But the most powerful platform for change will be businesses. Unlike politicians, who are often constrained by politics, business leaders can act swiftly and boldly, developing practices and products that ripple throughout society. Supercharging the net zero revolution. But with that power comes a huge responsibility to be real leaders. Now, businesses must commit publicly to net zero targets across all of their operations and value chains. They must measure and reduce emissions at every stage of what they make and how they make it. And they must compensate for any emissions that are left. Throughout all of this, they must be transparent with data about their progress. It's already happening. There are currently more than 3,000 companies with net zero commitments. That's up from barely 500 in 2019. And at least 1/5 of the world's 2,000 largest public companies have now made net zero pledges. You can make that leap too, or you will get left behind. Because within the greatest crisis our planet has ever faced is the greatest opportunity we have ever known. A revolution of action and innovation that builds a prosperous, sustainable future. At Salesforce, we believe that an equitable and urgent embrace of net zero is the only path to get there. But we can't do it without you. That's why we want to work with you, so that we can all get on that path to net zero and stay on it. We can help with technology that gives you the tools to measure your emissions and the capabilities to reimagine your business sustainably. The way to a net zero future is open before us right now. Join us and let's get there together.