In 1992, Parties of Participating Countries in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed that they would cooperate to avoid behaviors that could lead to dangerous climate changes; a noble cause that was globally lauded and applauded.
1995 saw the birth of COP 1, the first Conference of the Parties, held in Berlin.
There have been some significant “agreements” made but little achievement over the intervening 29 years, and now we are headed for COP 30, to be held in Brazil, 10–21 November 2025. This is fast shaping up to be a big COP-OUT.
COP 21 in Paris 2016 saw 195 Parties enthusiastically embrace the decision to implement the measures needed to prevent global warming from exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and they said they would strive to keep it down to 1.5°C. No mention of something called “net zero” here.
Participants were given five years to present their roadmaps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and that deadline is fast approaching with COP 30, Nov 2025 in Brazil.
It is one thing to agree and another entirely to act, especially considering the mammoth task ahead. The urgent need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions is not only still there, it is becoming more urgent. It is based on solid, fact-checked scientific data and the application of indisputable, credible science principles that only a fool would continue to deny and dismiss. As the enormity of the task ahead kicked in, so did the recognition of conflicting interests for the fossil fuel industry.
But deny they did, and “net zero” began hijacking the agenda of the “Paris Agreement” of COP 21, ten years ago.
The net zero “debate” is so fierce that there are those who will risk their careers over it, vowing to fight this “swindle” to its bitter end, while others see it as a solution to saving the planet.
Swindle or savior? Either way, it is a well-orchestrated global con job, the likes of which have never been seen before. On the con side of the debate, we are flooded with supporting evidence that simply does not stand up to credible scrutiny of something they call “net zero” but fail to explain what it actually is, other than to assure you that it is absolutely useless and the fault of the Albanese Government.
The pro side is trying to con voters into believing that we can continue to behave as we always have, and that emerging but unproven technology of the future and offsets of questionable integrity—which do not lead to actual emission reductions—will kick in by 2050. By then it will conveniently be someone else’s problem and responsibility.
After 30 years, the era of cooperation in climate change appears to be over, and the planet is on track to reach 4.4°C by 2100. It has currently passed the 1.5°C increase suggested in the Paris Agreement.
With global cooperation, it is considered that countries could collectively still limit warming to around 1.8°C by 2100, but this will require significant global cooperation, a reduction in the use of fossil fuel technology, and significant investment in green technology.
After 30 years, we have debated, argued, denied, lied, and attended COPs but failed to act. Temperature changes are already causing severe devastation globally and, as they continue to rise, the risks are increasing too. It is time to abandon the net zero debate and those who are pushing it one way or another.
Few countries reached the Feb 2025 deadline to present their emission strategy roadmaps for discussion at COP 30. Some countries have pulled out of their agreements, and others have indicated they will not be attending in Nov 2025.
It very much appears, currently, that COPs should be abandoned too. It is time for global leaders to bite the bullet, stop procrastinating, and get down to the real business of addressing the obvious solution—achieving zero (not net zero) emissions from fossil fuel technology and transitioning to renewable energy projects as quickly as possible… and not in 50 or even 30 years’ time.
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