Net-Zero Emissions Plan ‘Unrealistic,’ Says Prominent Professor

A noted Canadian professor and public policy commentator says the global plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is “unrealistic,” and Canada and other countries are “highly unlikely” to accomplish the transition by that date. Distinguished University of Manitoba professor emeritus and author Vaclav Smil made the comments in a report, Halfway Between Kyoto and 2050: Zero Carbon Is a Highly Unlikely Outcome, released May 28. Mr. Smil said the plan faces problems due to the cost of changing infrastructure and increasing mining for resources, as well as the need for Western countries to cover the price of helping low-income countries build new energy infrastructure....