let's be honest — reaching net zero emissions by 2050 sounds inspiring, but do we realize how far we still have to go? Right now, the world has only achieved about 10% of the needed progress.
Considering that over 85% of global CO₂ emissions come from energy production and use, we can see why this challenge is massive.
This isn't just about inventing new gadgets — it's about transforming the entire physical system that powers our lives. If we succeed, we'll create a stable, sustainable energy future. If we don't… well, the consequences are serious.
The Fields of Energy Transition
The global energy shift touches some interconnected fields: electricity, transportation, industry, buildings, raw materials, hydrogen and other energy carriers, plus carbon and energy reduction. The electricity sector must first clean up its own emissions and then supply low-emission energy to transport, industry, and buildings.
All of these sectors will rely on new fuels like hydrogen, advanced materials, and carbon reduction technologies to transform completely.
Where We Stand Now
According to McKinsey's global research, we're still at the early stage. Yes, we've made big strides with electric vehicles, wind, and solar power, but low-emission hydrogen and carbon capture are barely at 1% of the needed scale.
To hit the 2050 net zero goal, we must overcome 25 key obstacles across these seven fields, pushing forward both technology and infrastructure.
The Three Levels of Challenges
McKinsey breaks these 25 challenges into three levels:
1. Entry-level challenges – The tech already works well enough; we just need wider use. Example: improving EV range.
2. Mid-level challenges – Tech exists but scaling up needs massive infrastructure and investment. Example: building global EV charging networks.
3. Advanced challenges – Big tech gaps remain, and the transition is only just starting. Example: decarbonizing heavy trucking or cement production.
Why Advanced Challenges Matter Most
To reach net zero, we must cut about half of energy-related CO₂ emissions, and that means tackling advanced challenges head-on. These are the toughest — they involve the biggest technical and physical barriers, and they account for 40% to 60% of current emissions.
Electricity and industry together make up about 80% of this high-difficulty category. Without solving them, net zero stays out of reach.
Electricity's Key Obstacles
Two major electricity challenges are emerging globally:
1. Balancing renewable energy fluctuations — Wind and solar provide low-carbon power, but their output varies with weather and seasons. By mid-century, some regions could generate most of their electricity from renewables, yet still encounter frequent periods when supply falls short.
2. Expanding energy infrastructure in emerging economies — Many developing nations still rely heavily on fossil fuels and conventional hydropower. Transitioning to cleaner energy will require more adaptable grids, large-scale storage solutions, and improved regional electricity connections.
Transportation's Big Roadblocks
Electric cars are progressing well, but charging networks are growing too slowly, and long-distance transport is a serious problem. Heavy trucks need big, heavy batteries, which cut cargo space. Aviation and shipping are even harder — less than 1% of their energy comes from low-emission fuels today.
We'll need major breakthroughs in synthetic fuels, biofuels, and hydrogen to change that.
Industry's Deep Decarbonization
Sectors like steel, cement, plastics, and ammonia are among the hardest to clean up because they require extreme heat or carbon-intensive chemical processes. Solutions exist — such as hydrogen-based steelmaking, carbon capture in cement plants, and bio-based plastics — but they're costly, complex, and not yet scaled.
Other industries like food, paper, and textiles have easier paths through electrification and low-emission heat, but even these require massive retrofits worldwide.
Buildings and Heating
Buildings mainly emit carbon from heating. Heat pumps are a proven, clean technology, but deploying them to over a billion homes and commercial sites is a huge challenge. In very cold climates, pumps need better performance. Plus, widespread heating electrification could cause winter electricity demand spikes, requiring major grid upgrades.
What This All Means for Us
These 25 challenges aren't just problems for engineers — they affect how we travel, work, and live. Some fixes are ready now, like expanding EV charging or rolling out heat pumps. Others, like decarbonizing shipping, will take years of innovation and global cooperation.
Our Takeaway and Call to Action
Lykkers, the road to net zero is steep, but it's not impossible. We already have solutions for many entry- and mid-level challenges. What we need is making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
If we all push together — governments, businesses, and individuals — we can turn the 2050 goal from a dream into reality. The question is: will we start acting boldly enough, soon enough?
Low Carbon Challenge
Video by Powershop NZ
