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Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock
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Guyana is net zero thanks to dense rainforest cover, despite being a newly oil-producing nation. AFP
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Bhutan was the first country to report net-zero emissions. Getty
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Niue's emissions are negligible, at less than 0.0001 per cent. Photo: Flickr
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Suriname's forests absorb billions of tonnes of CO2. Getty
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Panama was one of the first three countries to report net-zero emissions. Photo: Flickr
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The Comoros government has reported its carbon emissions have been in the negative since at least 2015. AFP
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Almost 90 per cent of Gabon's surface is covered by forests, allowing for optimal carbon absorption. Getty
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Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BLHMHT5U4NGOFJ2FMOA3SGJAZY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=0414635182bc5e488a8139ccd9e26aa8e1d1b926ab73fb5b09b8f7905f882ffc&width=400&height=225)
Guyana is net zero thanks to dense rainforest cover, despite being a newly oil-producing nation. AFP
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Bhutan was the first country to report net-zero emissions. Getty
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Niue's emissions are negligible, at less than 0.0001 per cent. Photo: Flickr
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BUNMN2JWFFR7B2J2ZLD54XVQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=def4940d4e781eae170784aa64ad8e8c8f3b8ac0205d970a969a5f1d6656d78a&width=400&height=225)
Suriname's forests absorb billions of tonnes of CO2. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GZLZFY7YRNBBJF7DJFQCUOUWNQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=94427079e5c30fb8b4074b8d35962e479870534b2ff7ca274e993d280448d8ef&width=400&height=225)
Panama was one of the first three countries to report net-zero emissions. Photo: Flickr
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The Comoros government has reported its carbon emissions have been in the negative since at least 2015. AFP
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Almost 90 per cent of Gabon's surface is covered by forests, allowing for optimal carbon absorption. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A4M4GUWJLNF5FFHZIHHNBYYV64.jpeg?smart=true&auth=fea25888e42409ffdbfb6188edc9fa03b24640ab73e7f296e6ab3277f5fd526f&width=400&height=225)
Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock
How these eight countries have already achieved net-zero emissions
Bhutan, Panama and Suriname were the first nations to reach their goals and have paved a way to sustainability for others to follow
Katy Gillett
22 April, 2023
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