30 years on: What lessons does the Rio Summit offer for the drive to net zero?

clock • 7 min read
Credit: Flickr/ UN Photo/Michos Tzovaras
Image:

Credit: Flickr/ UN Photo/Michos Tzovaras

With countries now setting net zero targets on a thirty-year timeline, it is important to explore the legacy of a deal agreed by heads of state three decades ago, write Craig Jones and Felix Dodds

In 1972, Chinese premier Zhou Enlai was asked about the impact of the French revolution, almost 200 years on. "Too early to say", he replied. 30 years ago today, arguably the most important global...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Policy

Reports: Treasury preps additional energy bill support for low income households

Reports: Treasury preps additional energy bill support for low income households

The Guardian reports Chancellor is working on plans to increase Warm Homes Discount, but proposals to move levies off energy bills continue to face resistance

James Murray
clock 07 October 2026 • 5 min read
Global Briefing: Australian government slammed over coal mine approval

Global Briefing: Australian government slammed over coal mine approval

Plus: New York hails building emissions progress; Singapore launches green levy for flights; and MEPs set out their COP31 priorities, in our round up of the top green business news from around the world this week.

James Murray
clock 02 October 2026 • 6 min read
Smart tariff opportunities, Labour conference, and the growing momentum by the '35 by 35' goal

Smart tariff opportunities, Labour conference, and the growing momentum by the '35 by 35' goal

BusinessGreen Editor’s Briefing – October part one

BusinessGreen staff
clock 02 October 2026 • 3 min read