What is net zero, world leaders' big pledge at COP26 climate summit

World leaders who met at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow spoke of their pledges and commitment towards ‘Net Zero’ and ‘Global Net Zero’.

For those who are new to the 'climate change' conversation, ‘Net Zero’ is a phrase that has become common in the environmental lexicon. World leaders who met at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26 (Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC), spoke of their pledges and commitment towards ‘Net Zero’ and ‘Global Net Zero’.

However, both don’t mean the same. Climate movement activists have demanded "net zero emissions” by 2030 or 2050. But, many developing nations like China and India have pushed country pledges to 2060 and 2070, respectively.