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

EU Omnibus Package: Over half of EU businesses 'dissatisfied' with watering down of environmental reporting rules

EU Omnibus Package: Over half of EU businesses 'dissatisfied' with watering down of environmental reporting rules

Survey of 1,000 EU firms finds 61 per cent of businesses are happy with Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in its current form

clock 15 May 2025 • 5 min read
'Half-hearted U-turn': Government re-opens Sustainable Farming Incentive for around 3,000 farms

'Half-hearted U-turn': Government re-opens Sustainable Farming Incentive for around 3,000 farms

Following NFU challenge, government admits shock closure of subsidy scheme contained errors as it re-opens application process for some farms

James Murray
clock 13 May 2025 • 4 min read
'An incredibly divisive topic': Cornwall Insight warns switch to zonal pricing unlikely to be achieved before 2030

'An incredibly divisive topic': Cornwall Insight warns switch to zonal pricing unlikely to be achieved before 2030

Influential analyst firm argues that even under ambitious timelines, it would likely take until the early 2030s to transition UK market to a zonal electricity pricing regime

James Murray
clock 12 May 2025 • 4 min read