Future Tech Can Achieve Net Zero Goals Without Sacrificing Quality of Life, John Kerry Says

According to the US environment envoy, citizens would not have to sacrifice their quality of life to meet any of the net-zero targets.

Not Compromising

John Kerry, the US climate envoy, has stated that half of the carbon reductions needed to reach net-zero would come from yet-to-be-developed technology and that people "do not have to give up a standard of life" to reduce emissions.

Because of experiments being conducted into how cattle are herded and fed to minimize methane emissions, he said Americans would "not necessarily" have to consume less beef.

"To do any of the goals we know we need to achieve, you don't have to sacrifice your quality of life. That's the genius of some of the stuff we can do," he said on Andrew Marr's BBC One broadcast. "I've been advised by scientists that half of the reductions we'll need to get to net-zero will come from the technology we don't yet have. That's about the way things are.

"And people who are honest about this recognition that this is a part of the problem. As a result, we must arrive as soon as possible."

Visiting Climate Allies and Partners

Kerry will visit London next week to consult with government officials ahead of the UN climate change conference Cop26, which will occur in Glasgow in November.

Kerry visited Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday, describing him as "one of the great voices of reason and persuasive moral authority on the climate crisis."

Kerry told Vatican News, "I believe his presence will be a very powerful voice leading up to and through the Glasgow meeting, which I believe he plans to attend." "Everyone is needed in this war. All of the world's leaders must come together, and each nation must play its part."

Government Targets

Kerry said Joe Biden had set a target of making the US power sector carbon-free by 2035, but he couldn't speak for the president on concrete policies when asked by Marr whether the US would back an end to all coal-fired power plants if the UK demanded it at Cop26.

"What is the timeline for phase-out? Is this a fair request? Is everybody pulling together in the same direction? President Biden would no doubt want answers to those issues, but he is leading the charge to transition America to clean alternative energy," Kerry added.

Dealing with Emitters

After China, the United States is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with one of the highest per-capita CO2 emissions.

Kerry said, "We're determined to turn that around." "We will be increasingly transitioning to a digital environment, constructing new infrastructure, shifting to sustainable green energies, and expanding the boundaries of a technology exploration. There are several options available."

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