In its new short film, released under the title ‘Backwards – Net Zero Starts Now!’, myclimate has created a fictional scenario illustrating the complex interplay of various measures taken at different times. The aim was not to provide a scientific explanation or derivation of net zero, but to showcase a success story built on many individual measures. The film does this from a unique perspective: by looking into the future, to the year 2050, from where the story is told in reverse chronological order.
Net zero is the stated goal of the Paris Agreement, to which more than 190 signatory states have committed under international law. To achieve this, a balance must be struck between human-induced emissions and carbon sinks by the middle of the century at the latest. In many countries, the commitment to net zero is enshrined in national legislation, which obliges society and companies to follow target pathways and, sooner or later, to take action.
Around 2,750 organisations have already voluntarily set themselves a net-zero target recognised by the Science Based Targets initiative. In total, more than 14,000 companies are participating in the SBTi framework. This requires both ambitious measures to minimise ongoing emissions and the development of a portfolio of measures to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Taking responsibility for ongoing emissions (Ongoing Emissions Responsibility) has been shown to reduce the pressure to adapt to climate change and, consequently, business risks. It is therefore expressly recommended by the SBTi.
The film ‘Backwards – Net Zero Starts Now!’ was produced using a streamlined production process. It mainly utilised our own footage, supplemented with freely available stock footage. Contributors to the film include Dieter Boller, Creative Director and Copywriter, who helped with the script; Klangkraft Audio Productions (Peter Borfoi) from Zurich for the voice-over recordings; and Julian Baumann (a student at the Zurich University of the Arts, ZHDK, and a former community service worker at myclimate) on the concept development. The voice-over was recorded by myclimate staff members Birte Rinas and Christian Lehmann. Overall responsibility for the project lay with Christina Ritter, Team Leader for Brand Communication, whilst Sebastian Eppler, Project Manager for Visual Communication, was responsible for the concept and development.
The film – along with a planned English-language version – will be published on myclimate’s channels and screened at various external events.