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The Hitachi-911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Centre’s latest briefing paper is a timely and vital contribution to global conversations on net-zero pathways. Professor Mary Ryan Director of the 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ/Hitachi University Centre for Decarbonisation

Professor Mary Ryan, Director of the 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ/Hitachi University Centre for Decarbonisation, said: “The Hitachi-911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Centre’s latest briefing paper is a timely and vital contribution to global conversations on net-zero pathways. Its scenario-led approach, grounded in systems thinking and underpinned by robust interdisciplinary research, highlights the complexity and urgency of the decarbonisation challenge.

The Centre exemplifies how academia and industry can come together to co-create actionable insights that not only drive climate innovation but also embed ecological resilience and social equity at the heart of decision-making”

Dr Paul Taylor from Hitachi Europe adds: "This research and our wider collaboration with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ is demonstrative of our commitment to support society in the fight against climate change. It is a strong indicator of our belief that we must all collaborate and work together if we are to reach our net zero targets. Hitachi actively welcomes engagement with the wider community on these topics."

The launch event brought together academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to explore practical, science-based strategies for achieving net zero emissions. Highlights included expert presentations, a live guest panel and Q&A, and opportunities for networking. Professor Peter Todd, Dean of 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Business School, emphasised 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s mission to tackle global challenges and praised the partnership with Hitachi as a model for combining academic insight with industrial pragmatism. Dr Mirabelle Muûls, a co-Director of the School of Convergence Science – Sustainability and co-Director of the Hitachi-911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions, concluded with a call to action: to be brave, collaborative, and systems-focused in the global journey to net-zero.

The key takeaways from the briefing paper are outlined below.

Multiple viable pathways to net zero

Researchers present four contrasting global scenarios, Conservative Continuity, Innovative Balance, Accelerated Decarbonisation, and Slow Transition, which demonstrate the different ways in which we could reach global net-zero and limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2100.

Each scenario outlines the pros and cons of different ways in tackling climate change. They compare rapid action and energy efficiency versus waiting too long to make global changes, changing societal habits versus relying on emerging technologies to remove carbon emissions, and using nature-based solutions like reforestation versus engineered methods to remove carbon from the atmosphere.  

These scenarios were selected using a framework developed by Dr Hamish Beath and Professor Joeri Rogelj of the Hitachi Centre. Their in Environmental Research Letters describes the components of the framework and how it can be applied.

During the launch event, lead researcher Dr Nadine Moustafa presented the paper's key findings, challenging the idea of a single path to net-zero. Instead, she emphasised the need for flexible, integrated strategies that combine emissions reduction with carbon removal, biodiversity protection, and robust carbon accounting.

Tailored strategies for the hard-to-abate sector

A hard-to-abate sector is an industry where reducing carbon emissions is especially difficult due to technical, economic, or practical challenges. These sectors typically rely on high-energy processes or lack viable low-carbon alternatives. 

The paper suggests decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors - whether freight, aviation, or maritime - requires a portfolio of contextual solutions. As in other emission intensive sectors, such as energy and heavy industry, there will need to be a balance between the readiness of technology, infrastructure needs, resource demands, and emissions impact. 

Critical role of Carbon Dioxide Removal

All climate scenarios depend on the removal of carbon dioxide to address residual emissions, extening beyond reaching net zero to removing historical carbon dioxide emissions.

The paper suggests a portfolio approach combining the near-term deployment of nature-based solutions (like forests) with the longer-term scale-up of engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal.

Ecosystem impacts and biodiversity

Reducing carbon emissions often involves using large areas of land, but this can come at a cost to nature. For example, growing biofuel crops or planting vast forests for carbon capture might take away space from natural habitats, harming wildlife and disrupting important processes like clean water supply and soil health.

The paper emphasises the need to balance climate solutions with protecting ecosystems to avoid unintended damage and ensure long-term system resilience.

Policy, monitoring, and investment

Successful efforts to cut carbon emissions depend on several key factors: clear government policies, accurately tracking emissions, energy use, and supply chains, and making sure financial systems encourage businesses to invest in cleaner solutions. 

The paper highlights the importance of tools like emissions trading schemes and coordinated investment to speed up the use of new technologies and keep track of progress. 

Professor Joeri Rogelj, a climate science and policy expert, provided more context during the launch event, highlighting the complexity of climate action due to sectoral interdependencies, regional disparities, and societal preferences. He also outlined the three pillars of the Hitachi-911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions: carbon management, climate repair and nature and social system transitions. 

Read the briefing paper.

The data for this briefing paper is further explored in a new paper, published in Environmental Letters.