Reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 – and thus limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels – would involve profound economic and societal shifts. McKinsey analysis offers a window into what it would take across sectors and regions.
The net-zero transition: What it would cost, what it could bring
Governments and companies worldwide are pledging to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases. What would it take to fulfill that ambition? This McKinsey report offers a detailed look at the economic and societal impact of the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Featured insights
Article
Spotting green business opportunities in a surging net-zero world
-
Explore how 8 industries may transition to reach a 2050 net-zero scenario, and how organizations can respond with new green businesses...
Article
Delivering the climate technologies needed for net zero
-
Developing and deploying climate technologies is critical for the world’s net-zero agenda. Growth could await businesses willing...
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Playing offense to create value in the net-zero transition
-
Decarbonization will reshape the economy, opening new markets and imperiling others. Now is the moment for companies to spot...
Regional insights
Article
Navigating America’s net-zero frontier: A guide for business leaders
-
The US government has a goal: net-zero emissions by 2050. Our analysis maps out a pathway to this net-zero frontier—and the growth opportunities that $27 trillion of capital spending could create.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
The net-zero transition in the wake of the war in Ukraine: A detour, a derailment, or a different path?
-
The invasion of Ukraine will, at least initially, complicate the transition path to a net-zero economy, but this tragic development...
Article
Asia’s net-zero transition: Opportunity and risk amid climate action
-
For Asia-Pacific, the journey to net zero could bring both challenges and rewards. McKinsey analysis highlights the transition’s...
Executive Briefing
Green Africa: A growth and resilience agenda for the continent
-
How the global climate agenda creates opportunities for Africa to build resilience, catalyze sustainable growth, and contribute...
Article
How the net-zero transition would play out in countries and regions
-
All 69 countries we looked at in depth face some exposure to the transition. Lower-income and fossil fuel resource-producing...
The Net-Zero Transition by Sector
Article
Infrastructure for a net-zero economy: Transformation ahead
-
Eliminating greenhouse-gas emissions would entail major changes to the world’s stock of infrastructure assets. New McKinsey...
Report
Green corridors: A lane for zero-carbon shipping
-
Zero-emission fuels and vessels will need to start being deployed at scale over the next decade to achieve full decarbonization...
Article
Sectors are unevenly exposed in the net-zero transition
-
Economic sectors with high-emissions products or operations would face substantial effects on demand, production costs, and employment....
Article
How airlines can chart a path to zero-carbon flying
-
The coronavirus crisis will transform aviation, giving airlines their best chance yet to address climate change. Sustainable...
Article
Climate risk and the opportunity for real estate
-
Real-estate leaders should revalue assets, decarbonize, and create new business opportunities. Here’s how.
Collection
Decarbonizing the world’s industries: A net-zero guide for nine key sectors
The sectors that produce the majority of global greenhouse-gas emissions face a steep challenge to decarbonize, but our research...
Net-zero videos
Net-Zero Perspectives
Interview
Ørsted’s renewable-energy transformation
-
Twelve years ago, the Danish energy company made most of its money from fossil fuels. Today, it’s the world’s leading offshore-wind...
Interview - McKinsey Quarterly
Asia at the speed of light: An interview with the head of ReNew Power
-
The energy transition will remake Asia, says Sumant Sinha, managing director of ReNew Power.
Interview - McKinsey Quarterly
‘Bring the problem forward’: Larry Fink on climate risk
-
The physical impact of climate change will lead to a major capital reallocation, says the head of BlackRock, the world’s largest...
Blog Post
Watch the replay: Leading voices discuss implications of the net-zero transition
-
Gillian Tett of the FT moderates a conversation with Mark Carney, Rajiv Shah, and Francesco Starace on navigating the challenges...
Featured interactive
Interactive
The 1.5-degree challenge
-
Holding warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels could limit the most dangerous and irreversible effects of climate change.
Learn more
Environmental Sustainability
Our strategy helps us minimize the impact our firm has on the environment.
McKinsey Sustainability
Working with clients to lead a wave of innovation and economic growth that safeguards our planet and advances sustainability.