#37: The Problem with Net Zero Carbon (an Urban Design Perspective)

"So, here's a big problem we need to talk about.
Net Zero Carbon means different things in different situations. We all get to define what we "mean" by net zero (i.e. what we include in our calculations) to suit our project."

In this episode I delve into the problems associated with the term 'Net Zero Carbon', particularly from an urban design and placemaking perspective.

Today's episode was sparked by a Linkedin post I made criticising McDonald's Net Zero Carbon restaurant: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ross-o-ceallaigh_mcdonalds-opens-uks-first-net-zero-restaurant-activity-6878675708114153472-X3HI

It got a lot of traction, with over 40,000 views, 500 likes, 70 comments and 19 reshares so far. Some people supported my criticism while others offered challenges and corrections. This has all fed into a really interesting discussion and informed my thinking further. Rather than responding to all the Linkedin comments, I have laid out further thoughts here on the McDonalds example and on the problems with Net Zero in general.

Dezeen article: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/12/20/mcdonalds-net-zero-restaurant/

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The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.