Net Zero: a knot of naught

There are always useful options if we’re willing to unpick the knots.

People ask me if I believe Net Zero goals will keep us from destroying more of our environment if more companies and governments sign on. My answer is, unfortunately: No.

But there is something that I believe will address the ecological and societal harms caused by corporate activities, enabled by governments at all levels. In this podcast episode, I share what is needed for Net Zero and other climate goals to have a positive impact.

I also provide evidence to back up my answer, using real-life examples with my own federal government and a couple global companies I have examined up close.

This is a podcast version of a written post. The original post with all references (and the comfy blankie made from that mess of knots) is linked below.

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I mention a couple asterisks in the podcast that feel important to write out here, too:

* I do not currently have any commercial relationship with the second company I mention, Suzano. However, I conducted several rounds of sustainability-related advisory work with Fibria (which later merged with Suzano) between 2014 and 2018, and I am friends with several people either formerly or currently in strategic roles within the company. They did not know I was writing this piece and had no editorial input. ***

** It can be hard to find investor presentations but I have a go-to spot, Seeking Alpha. Instead of wasting time scratching around company websites, I go straight there. This is an affiliate link. If you sign on to the premium version (which I did years ago and have been very happy with it—hence becoming an affiliate) I earn a small commission.

*** I hope they still want to be friends.

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Erratum: In the final mention (@15:29) of Suzano’s 179.4 hectares of restored habitat, I say “acre” when I should have said “hectare”.

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