The world’s climate is changing, and many countries have made big strides toward reducing their carbon footprint.
Globally, the aim is to move towards net-zero emissions by reducing carbon output or offsetting it completely, and some countries have taken up the cause in their own way. Some invested billions into renewables to reduce fossil fuels, and others focused on research and achieved technological innovations.
Globally, where we were once scrambling, smaller countries have already achieved net-zero, and a significant number are on track to reach the same target by 2050.
The following eight countries have already achieved net-zero emissions:
- Madagascar
- Panama
- Guyana
- Bhutan
- Comoros
- Gabon
- Niue
- Suriname
In comparison, the following seven countries are responsible for approximately half of global greenhouse gas emissions. The list goes from the largest polluter to the smallest:
- China
- United States
- India
- Russia
- Japan
- Germany
- Iran
- South Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Indonesia
Important to note is most of these countries are working towards net-zero targets.
In 2015, 196 countries adopted the Paris Agreement to reduce global warming. Some countries have since turned the agreement into legislation with a deadline of 2050 to hit net-zero emissions.
Countries with a legislative goal of 2050 include:
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- France
- Denmark
- New Zealand
- Hungary
The countries that have proposed legislation for a net-zero deadline of 2050 include:
- European Union
- Canada
- South Korea
- Spain
- Chile
- Fiji
For countries to meet their goals, industries must follow and adopt ESG legislation.
In optimistic news, 42% of Fortune Global 500 companies have announced their intention to reach net zero by 2030. Even more reassuring, around a third of the world’s largest publicly traded companies are also working towards net-zero.
Check out the list below:
- A.P. Moller (Maersk)
- Airbus Group
- PepsiCo, Inc.
- American Airlines Group
- Proctor and Gamble Co.
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Caterpillar Inc.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. - Siemens AG
- Ford
- Hon Hai
An amazing thing now possible for investors is to seek out companies that prioritize positively impacting the environment.
Investors can be part of the solution by choosing to work with companies that are moving faster toward their environmental goals. Reducing global emissions was once an incredibly daunting task, but as we work together towards this goal, it is becoming less of a pipe dream and more achievable.
