Limiting the increase in the global mean temperature to well below 2 degrees C compared to the pre-industrial level is fundamentally possible - this is shown by the IPCC in its special report on 1.5°C global warming.
Important measures are rapid and far-reaching reductions of all greenhouse gas emissions, above all carbon dioxide. In addition, carbon dioxide must be extracted from the atmosphere. It can be stored in natural sinks such as soils and forests, for example. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide extracted from the atmosphere can be converted back into energy sources through chemical processes.
In Net-Zero-2050, Cluster I of the Helmholtz Climate Initiative, was carried out in two phases, each with its own focus.
In the first phase (2019-2022), Net-Zero-2050 focused on the topic of CO2 neutrality with the key question: How do we restructure the energy system and how do we deal with emissions that are hard to avoid? The ten participating Helmholtz Research Centers conducted interdisciplinary research in five areas and compiled and synthesized their results. The central result is the “Netto-Null-2050 Wegweiser” (in German) with over 100 technology-based and decision-supporting recommendations for action for a CO2 neutral Germany by the middle of the century.
Eight Helmholtz Centers were involved in the second phase (2023-2024) of Net-Zero-2050. The focus here was on a reality check of selected research results with practitioners and stakeholders. This phase also included the Net-Zero-2050 Summer School, which took place in September 2024. Additionally, exchange on these topics among the Helmholtz Centers is planned beyond the project timeframe in the Net-Zero network.
Net-Zero-2050 focused exclusively on CO2 emissions and the associated CO2 neutrality.