There are many ways to advance towards ‘Net Zero’

It is becoming increasingly clear that there is no one route to ‘net zero’. Indeed, at a time of rivalry between the world’s democracies and more totalitarian regimes, the contrasting approaches are becoming only too obvious.

The Chinese, Russians and motley fellow-travellers shake their heads and claim that democracies will never vote for drastic curbs on their ways of life and the behaviour changes needed to address global warming. For freedom-loving people, it is a considerable challenge – and this was one of the main issues on our minds when the Institute went to COP26 last November.

Some of our conclusions can be seen in the film, Net Zero Voices, released today.

The question we asked was What role does public engagement and consultation play in the pursuit of a Net Zero world?

 We gathered a broad range of perspectives. Some of those we approached could not attend in Glasgow because of the pandemic. So, we talked to them afterwards, when the results of COP26 were visible.

The voices you hear in this film are based in the USA, Canada, Australia, India, Turkey, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Turkey; we also spoke to UK-based specialists.

Is there consensus?