The Net in Net Zero: The role of negative emissions in achieving climate alignment for asset owners

Year published
2021
Theme
Sustainable Insurance
Author
UNEP FI
Category
Report

This Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance paper recognizes that to align with a 1.5°C pathway (scenarios P3 and P4), the primary focus must remain on deep decarbonization in energy, urban, infrastructure and industrial systems, as well as reversing emissions growth from land use systems; however, investments in CDR and negative emissions technologies and solutions will also be complementary and necessary to accelerate progress and keep global average warming to 1.5°C.

The Alliance holds the position that CDR solutions, both nature-based and technological, will therefore need to be developed at scale. This position paper calls for asset owners to facilitate the transition to a deep and rapid decarbonization across all sectors by investing into activities, technologies, and nature-based solutions that remove residual emissions.

The Alliance also highlights that a strong policy support is necessary — in the form of an adequate carbon-price as a priority, and certified credits as a complimentary instrument.