## NET ZERO BY 2050

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**Canonical URL:** [NET ZERO BY 2050](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2021/september/infographic-series-net-zero-2050-iea-report.pdf)

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### Growing commitments
- "The number of countries with net zero commitments is growing but still falls short and must be backed by credible action."
- Map No. 4624.2, April 2021 (Source: United Nations).
- NDC = nationally determined contribution.
- Emissions trajectory (GtCO): 
  - 33.9 — 2020
  - 30.2 — 2025
  - 21.1 — 2030
  - 12.8 — 2035
  - 6.3 — 2040
  - 2.5 — 2045
  - 0.0 — 2050

### Emissions target and sectoral pathways
- "As the major source of global emissions, the energy sector holds the key to the world’s climate challenge."
- Electricity and heat:
  - No new unabated coal plants by the end of 2021.
  - 1,020 gigawatts of annual solar and wind added by 2030.
  - Unabated coal plants phased out in advanced economies by 2030.
  - Net zero emission electricity in advanced economies by 2035.
  - Net zero emission globally, including global phaseout of all unabated coal and oil power plants by 2040.
  - Almost 70% of electricity generation globally from solar photovoltaic technology and wind by 2050.
- Transportation:
  - 60% of global car sales electric by 2030.
  - 50% of heavy truck sales electric and no new internal combustion engine car sales by 2035.
  - 50% of aviation fuel low emission by 2040.
- Industry:
  - Most new clean technologies in heavy industry demonstrated at scale by 2030.
  - All industrial electric motor sales best in class by 2035.
  - 90% of existing capacity in heavy industries at the end of their investment cycle by 2040.
  - More than 90% of heavy industrial production low emission by 2050.
- Buildings:
  - No new sales of fossil fuel boilers by 2025.
  - All new buildings zero carbon ready by 2030.
  - 50% of existing buildings retrofitted to zero-carbon-ready levels by 2040.
  - 50% of heating demand met by heat pumps by 2045.
  - More than 85% of buildings zero carbon ready by 2050.
- Note: Hollow circles represent negative emissions. GtCO = gigatons of carbon dioxide; Mt = metric tons.

### Key milestones and quantitative targets
- 2021: "No new oil and gas fields approved for development; no new coal mines or mine extensions"
- 2030: "150 Mt low-carbon hydrogen; clean energy investment more than tripled to about $4 trillion"
- 2035: "4 GtCO captured"
- 2045: "435 Mt low-carbon hydrogen; natural gas demand half of 2020 levels"
- 2050: "7.6 GtCO captured"
- Electricity generation composition target: almost 70% from solar photovoltaic technology and wind by 2050.

### Assessment and policy implications
- "The energy sector needs a complete overhaul."
- "To succeed, governments must act immediately and decisively to end fossil fuel consumption and craft a resilient energy economy dominated by renewables such as solar and wind power."
- "The pathway to success is narrow, but the IEA report makes it clear that it is achievable."
- "Decisive climate action now will put the global economy on a stronger and more sustainable footing over the long run."
- The IEA’s "Net Zero by 2050" report provides a detailed road map of the policies, technologies, and behavioral changes needed to achieve a net zero energy system in just three decades.

*Source: International Energy Agency (IEA), "Net Zero by 2050."; United Nations; Finance & Development, September 2021.*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2021/september/infographic-series-net-zero-2050-iea-report.pdf_