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Sometimes it feels as though we inhabit parallel universities simultaneously.

Since the Conservatives narrowly won the Uxbridge by-election last week,

having campaigned heavily against the proposed

extension of London's ultra-low emission zone, there's been a slew of commentary suggesting

that this cast doubt on the political viability of other green policies, notably the UK's

zero-carbon strategy. At almost exactly the same time, the Met Office has predicted that the sweltering record hot summer of 2022

will feel cool by the end of the century even with the Net Zero target Met, let alone without.

So what exactly is net zero?

What's the UK's strategy for meeting it

and what does it require Britons to do?

Step inside the briefing room and together we'll find out.

Let's start with the basics.

What exactly is net zero and why are we signed up to it? To take us through

that is Attractor Mooney, climate correspondent at the Financial Times. Now Tractamuni, let's start by

explaining what the net zero target actually is. The UK's net zero target is to be net zero emissions by 2050. And the roots of that

is in the Paris Agreement from 2015, where countries agreed to limit global temperature rises

to well below 2 degrees or ideally 1.5 degrees. To do that, scientists say we need to cut emissions

to net zero by 2050.

And net zero basically means that we reduce emissions as much as possible,

such as by decarbonising our power sector.

And when we can't cut those emissions anymore, then we use offsets.

...