A safe climate future requires two simultaneous goal posts: reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions.
When scientists first began ringing the alarm about human-caused climate change, this warning was accompanied with a call to action: Reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses to stop the adverse impacts of a warming climate. The warning has continued for decades and, given the lack of significant cuts to emissions, a new set of alarm bells is now ringing. Reducing emissions remains our critical priority, amidst the dire impacts of climate change that the world is experiencing today. But as a result of our delay, there's also an urgent need to remove the emissions already lodged in the atmosphere. Reducing future emissions and removing existing emissions requires two goal posts, or twin targets. Having two simultaneous goals doesn't mean that they're equal. Reducing emissions—with solutions like solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and a host of other options—is widely agreed to be the foremost priority in climate action. But there is scientific consensus that carbon removal also has a critical role to play, which is why it's increasingly important to acknowledge the two goals required for a safe climate future. Why twin targets? A survey of more than 300 climate experts found that the overwhelming majority favor establishing twin targets. Targets will vary by sector, but the Science Based Targets Initiative recommends approximately 90% reductions and 10% removals as one guide post for the field. Establishing twin targets brings increased integrity to carbon markets by providing a clearer definition about what constitutes a carbon removal credit and clearly separating these credits away from reductions. It also gives more clarity on the amount of removals required in climate pledges and helps alleviate a concern that removals can take away from the important work of reducing emissions (since twin targets provide increased transparency). This transparency is…