Why are fossils fuels not thought as carbon neutral?

Fossil fuels are not considered carbon neutral because their extraction, combustion, and use release significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This process contributes to climate change by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, which trap heat. Unlike renewable energy sources, fossil fuels take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished on a human timescale, further exacerbating their environmental impact. As a result, their lifecycle emissions far exceed any potential for carbon neutrality.