"NET zero" refers to the net amount of carbon emissions produced by any one entity; net-zero emissions are achieved when the amount emitted is offset by an equal amount absorbed from the atmosphere.

Why is it important?

Carbon emissions pollute the environment and lead to global warming and climate change.

How is it achieved?

It is arguably impossible to stop all emissions, and more realistic to aim for the removal of emissions so that a net-zero balance is achieved.

For example, countries and companies can plant more trees to absorb carbon emissions from activities such as transportation and power generation.

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The most forested country on earth, Suriname, is reportedly already carbon-negative, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits.

Oil giant Shell plans to offset the bulk of its fossil-fuel-related emissions through nature-based projects in forest and ocean restoration, which capture and store carbon.

Another way to remove emissions is by companies working to capture the carbon created from industrial processes before it is released into the atmosphere, or by switching to renewable-energy sources.

Property developer City Developments is using smart technology and innovation to maximise buildings' energy performance, targeting 100 per cent renewable energy and phasing out diesel across all its operations.

Social media platform Facebook is cutting down on the emissions produced by its data centres by pursuing sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy.

Singapore's Green Plan

Concrete targets over the next 10 years, such as:

• Planting one million more trees;

• Quadrupling solar energy deployment by 2025;

• Reducing the waste sent to landfills by 30 per cent by 2030;

• Making at least 20 per cent of schools carbon-neutral by 2030.

The issues now:

• Lack of uniformity/measurability in the various targets and ambitions voiced by countries and companies around the world.

• Lack of transparency on how net-zero objectives are attained, and whether they are truly contributing towards positive climate change.

What can be done?

In order for pledges to be meaningful, the countries and companies behind them need to issue detailed targets and time frames. There also needs to be more disclosure on how these are achieved.