Jana Sabra | Staff Writer
Doesn’t it feel like spring while we’re in the middle of the winter season? Climate change is real, and it is more devastating than we thought.
The carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere is almost at a concentration of 420 parts per million (ppm) – that is 180 ppm higher than the pre-industrial revolution level. Those increasing levels, by the daily, only add to the climate change environmental bill. Currently, with the rising greenhouse gas emissions, the Earth is 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in the 19th century. From here, global goals and plans have been set to address this crisis with the Paris Agreement target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by the year 2030 and the net zero target by 2050.
Net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to a level that balances out the absorbed amount from the atmosphere to result in a net value of nearly zero emissions. As an analogy, what you put in your savings account is what you get to spend eventually so you have no amount left. The absorption of greenhouse gases could be done naturally by oceans and forests, or by forestry and innovative technologies. One of the top current technologies is the carbon capture and storage process which is widely used in the energy sector to mitigate the levels emitted by the burning of conventional fossil fuels as the transition to renewable energy sources is still pending.
Net zero necessitates a full cycle of transformation of several distinct fields in addition to production and consumption patterns. One place to start would be the energy sector, which is responsible for three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions and its need for sustainable and renewable energy sources that are cleaner yet cheaper than fossil fuels.
The importance of this target translates to its adoption by more than 70 countries with the biggest polluting entities – namely the United States, China and the European Union – having set pledges, targets, and action plans that cover up to 76% of global emissions. The scenario spreads to societal entities such as initiatives, startups, and institutions that encompass thousands taking immediate action toward the net zero target.
A global United Nations campaign has emerged to build up on the needed immediate action of non-state actors, including more than 50 regions, 1100+ cities and educational institutions, over three thousand hospitals, and hundreds of financial institutions. The “Race to Zero” campaign aligns with the Paris Agreement goals with more transparent action plans and near-term targets.
On a regional level, Dar Al-Handasah has been an active player when it comes to setting goals and contributing to the ultimate net zero target. Dar presented a research-based action plan at the Climate Change Conference of the Parties 2022 (COP27) at Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The plan includes elevating awareness of the daily environmental impact of the people living and working in the MENA region, creating opportunities to amplify accessibility to currently available solutions, and closing the circle by removing financial and societal barriers from environmentally friendly choices. It relies on sustainable measures to decarbonize three main sectors: the environment, transportation, and water and energy resources. Dar, by being one of the largest engineering and architecture consulting firms, has a strong role to play in the empowerment of stakeholders toward the implementation of sustainable net zero solutions.
While the ultimate target is being chunked down into SMART goals, the track to reach net zero by 2050 is still under construction. To this date, commitments made still fall short of the time constraint set. This is why cooperation and binding structured action policies are needed on an international level to better abide by the “common but differentiated responsibilities” principle while having more than just hope in saving what is left of our mother nature and ensuring the preservation of the ecosystem that includes our human race.