**Renowned Mining Tycoon Calls for Ambitious Shift in Climate Goals**
Andrew Forrest, founder and executive chairman of Fortescue, is urging world leaders to abandon the “unrealistic” target of net zero emissions by 2050 and instead strive for “real zero” by 2040. In an exclusive interview, Forrest emphasized that the technology to achieve this goal already exists and that it’s time for hesitant leaders to step aside and make way for those willing to take bold action.
Fortescue, the world’s fourth-largest iron ore miner, has set an ambitious goal to stop burning fossil fuels across its Australian operations by the end of the decade. Forrest is now calling on other companies and governments to follow suit, arguing that the current pace of progress is insufficient to mitigate the worst effects of the climate crisis.
“We know the world can achieve real zero by 2040,” Forrest said. “It’s time to walk away from the fantasy of net zero 2050 and adopt a more urgent timeline. We can, we must, let’s do it.”
Forrest’s vision of “real zero” involves leveraging existing technology to completely eliminate fossil fuel usage by 2040. He believes that achieving this goal would give the planet a 50:50 chance of avoiding the most catastrophic consequences of global warming.
The mining tycoon’s call to action comes as scientists continue to sound the alarm about the need for rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. With the planet on track to experience its hottest year on record in 2024, the urgency to address the climate crisis has never been more pressing.
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