The need to achieve real gains in climate action is no longer a “nice to do” but a “need to have” for companies both big and small. As study after study shows, customers, consumers, stakeholders, and even investors and major lenders are sizing up companies’ efforts toward climate protection as a key indicator of the organization’s overall strength. Within that discussion, the topic of becoming carbon neutral — or reaching net zero emissions — is one of the ultimate goals. Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide emissions) going into the atmosphere are balanced by the removal of emissions from the atmosphere. Underlying the urgency of achieving net zero is global warming. According to the United Nations Net Zero Coalition, “in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” In order to achieve that goal, the world needs to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Many companies have already accepted the challenge and taken their commitments a step further, vowing to become carbon neutral even before the 2050 deadline. By looking at recent numbers, threats to organizations, as well as consumer and investor behavior, let’s take a look at why achieving net zero now is imperative for today’s enterprises.