Carbon neutrality

Why in news?

• Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 22 pledged to go carbon neutral by 2060.

What is carbon neutrality?

• Carbon neutrality, or climate neutrality or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal (often through carbon offsetting) or simply eliminating carbon emissions altogether (the transition to a "post-carbon economy").
• Only two countries, Bhutan and Suriname, have achieved carbon neutral status.
• With China, the 30 countries that have some kind of carbon neutrality pledges, account for about 43 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
• Most countries and the European union have set a target of 2050 to be carbon neutral while some like Finland (2035) have set earlier dates.
• The largest polluting countries not having such pledges are the United States, India, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, Brazil and Australia.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Which of the following countries are considered as “Carbon Neutral” Nations:
1.Bhutan
2.Suriname
3.Norway
4.Fiji
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1,2, 3 and 4 

Answer to prelims question