Net Zero: Governmental Greenwashing? | Kristian Noll | TEDxLSE

Over 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions are covered by a net zero target. In the EU and the UK, however, achieving this target depends on burning woody biomass for energy production. Although this method is officially classified as renewable, producing biomass energy emits more carbon than burning coal, contributes to deforestation and biodiversity loss, and aggravates climate injustice. This talk examines this discrepancy between the theory and practice of net zero and argues that the rhetoric around biomass provides a powerful demonstration of governmental greenwashing. In response, a more critical engagement with policy is encouraged. Kristian is a postgraduate student in the LSE Department of Geography and Environment studying environmental policy and regulation and an LSE parliamentary intern. After graduating from St Olaf College in December 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Norwegian, Kristian was selected to participate in the International Parliamentary Stipend Program of the German Bundestag. Through this program, he worked in in the office of a
German member of parliament for three months. Inspired by his experiences growing up as the son of a US diplomat and working in two European parliaments on climate issues, Kristian is interested in examining the politics behind environmental policy from an international comparative lens. Upon graduating from LSE, Kristian hopes to leverage his experiences in a career in environmental policymaking and diplomacy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx