The Business Case for Net-Zero in the United States

The United States is committed to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions footprint by 2050. Incrementalist approaches will be insufficient to meet this goal, which requires combining public policy implementation, technological progress, and changes to operational norms and strategies in public and private sectors. These efforts will be successful only if they effectively galvanize private sector leadership in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. This Energy Pathways USA panel held at COP27 brought together top U.S. private sector leaders to discuss key net-zero challenges and opportunities for their own operations, and those effecting the broader American and international landscape.

No need to register for the event, which will take place at the COP27 We Mean Business Pavilion, Blue Zone, Zone D, Auditorium B. The event will also be livestreamed on the We Mean Business Coalition site at 8:30 a.m. EET/ 2:30 a.m. Eastern, and a recording will be posted afterward.

"Pathways to Net-Zero for the US Energy Transition” examines the current trendlines, challenges, and opportunities for meeting the US net-zero objective—and outlines the work ahead for Energy Pathways USA.

Summary:

What will it take to achieve a net-zero carbon emissions footprint for the US economy by 2050? This report from Energy Pathways USA helps strengthen the evidence base on what will be required for a robust US energy transition and elucidates key barriers and opportunities for reaching net-zero goals. The report also outlines future areas of focus for Energy Pathways USA, a Duke-based project that accelerates progress towards a net-zero carbon future by developing workable solutions with corporate partners across multiple key industries.

• Jackson Ewing (moderator), Senior Fellow, Duke University Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
• Alexandra Liftman, Global Environment Executive, Bank of America
• Alison Taylor, Chief Sustainability Officer, ADM
• Katherine Neebe, Chief Sustainability Officer, Duke Energy
• Niklas Gustafsson, Head of Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Volvo
• Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer, GE