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

'First step in modernising': EU moves forward with ETS reforms in response to energy market shocks

'First step in modernising': EU moves forward with ETS reforms in response to energy market shocks

European Commission tables proposals to 'increase the firepower' of the EU ETS carbon permit reserve, sparking fears it could water down flagship carbon pricing scheme

Stuart Stone
clock 02 April 2026 • 4 min read
Environment Agency reports record number of water company inspections

Environment Agency reports record number of water company inspections

Agency reveals number of inspections more than doubled to over 10,000 last year, as crackdown on sewage pollution continues

James Murray
clock 30 March 2026 • 3 min read
Germany unveils €8bn climate package in bid to slash fossil fuel imports

Germany unveils €8bn climate package in bid to slash fossil fuel imports

Government estimates new programme can accelerate roll out of offshore wind, EVs, industrial decarbonisation projects, and nature restoration, saving 25 million tonnes of CO2 in 2030

Michael Holder
clock 26 March 2026 • 5 min read