Achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and those removed or offset, resulting in no net addition to the overall amount of greenhouse gases. This goal is crucial in combating climate change. Net zero is similar in principle to carbon neutrality, but is expanded in scale. To achieve net zero means to go beyond the removal of just carbon emissions. Net zero refers to all greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20) and other hydrofluorocarbons.
As with carbon neutrality, to reach net zero the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere must be equivalent to the greenhouse gases being removed from the atmosphere.