The world has a goal to reach net zero emissions. Our platform, informed by leading climate researchers and hosted by the University of Oxford, brings together principles and policies, practical tools, and progress tracking to help businesses and policymakers achieve that goal.

Principles & Policies

PrACTICAL TOOLS

PROGRESS TRACKING

How to set a net zero target

As net zero targets are being set, questions arise about how current net zero targets align. We present criteria based on a summary of current practices, identifying areas of convergence and divergence.

tools for setting and achieving a net zero target

Browse our library of the most relevant tools helping institutions of all kinds set and achieve their net zero targets.

GLOBAL NET ZERO STOCKTAKE

For an understanding of progress to net zero, read the first systematic review of net zero commitments by countries, sub-national governments, and major corporations around the globe. 

The world has a goal to reach net zero emissions.

Our platform brings together principles and policies, practical tools, and progress tracking to help achieve that goal.

PRINCIPLES & POLICIES

How to set a net zero target

As net zero targets are being set, questions arise about how current net zero targets align. We present criteria based on a summary of current practices, identifying areas of convergence and divergence.

Practical Tools

tools for setting and achieving a net zero target

Browse our library of the most relevant tools helping institutions of all kinds set and achieve their net zero targets.

PROGRESS TRACKING

Global Net Zero Stocktake

For an understanding of progress to net zero, read the first systematic review of net zero commitments by countries, sub-national governments, and major corporations around the globe. 

WHAT IS NET ZERO?

Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. 

The term net zero is important because – for CO2 at least – this is the state at which global warming stops.

The Urgency of zero

All emissions, including those from the most difficult sectors (e.g. food, agriculture, aviation and mining), must be tackled urgently to effectively combat climate change.

Carbon dioxide removal

The active removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies is, alongside significant emissions reductions, central to achieving net zero by 2050 and limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-Industrial levels.

CARBON OFFSETTING

Carbon offsetting is a widespread tool in efforts to achieve net zero emissions. But what types of offsets are aligned with pathways to net zero and under what conditions should they be used?

NET ZERO & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Reaching a durable net zero will require global transitions that are both sustainable and equitable. Net zero plans need to be aligned with complementary sustainability objectives and enforced using rigorous quality standards, centring fairness and prosperity.

TRACKING OF NET ZERO COMMITMENTS

Oxford Net Zero is part of a pioneering team surveying significant entities to track net zero targets globally, aiming to increase transparency and accountability of net zero targets pledged by nations, states and regions, cities and companies.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NET ZERO

REACHING NET ZERO: OUR COURSE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS

Oxford Net Zero and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment’s new online course provides a comprehensive overview of net zero, including its challenges, while exploring how public servants can promote the transition to net zero.

GLOBAL YOUTH CLIMATE TRAINING

A collaboration between Oxford Net Zero and the Global Youth Coalition, giving youth the knowledge and tools to engage in the UNFCCC system. This programme is closed to applicants, but previous sessions can be watched online.

WHAT IS NET ZERO?

Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. But there’s more to it than that: explore related terms, key issues and challenges relating to net zero and how we can get it right.

Events

Oxford Net Zero at COP28
Oxford Net Zero at COP28

Event date: December 2, 2023

The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) is being held in the UAE from 30 November – 12 December. The Oxford Net Zero community is mobilising its collective expertise to help drive ambition. Our dedicated ... Read more

Seminar: Net-Zero: Policies and Politics
Seminar: Net-Zero: Policies and Politics

Event date: February 14, 2024

Net Zero pledges by countries, cities and organizations are now omnipresent. How can these commitments be operationalised in a credible, fair and effective manner? At this event hosted by Kellogg College, we will take a closer look at the ... Read more

Webinar: Designing net zero governance: The moment for multilateral governance and national regulation
Webinar: Designing net zero governance: The moment for multilateral governance and national regulation

Event date: October 4, 2023

Wed, 4 Oct 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Weston Library Lecture Theatre, Oxford, UK and online Designing net zero governance: The moment for multilateral governance and national regulation Sign up on Eventbrite. National net zero commitments ... Read more

Webinar: Learning across global regions: Comparing climate marketcraft in developing countries
Webinar: Learning across global regions: Comparing climate marketcraft in developing countries

Event date: September 20, 2023

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Learning across global regions: Comparing climate marketcraft in developing countries Sign up on Eventbrite. Local climate action benefits from learning across national cases, as there are valuable ... Read more

Webinar: Net zero for influenced emissions: The role of global professional service providers
Webinar: Net zero for influenced emissions: The role of global professional service providers

Event date: September 13, 2023

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Weston Library Lecture Theatre, Oxford, UK and online Net zero for influenced emissions: The role of global professional service providers Sign up on Eventbrite. Professional service providers, such ... Read more

Webinar: Net zero and zero deforestation: Assessing the potential impacts of the EU deforestation regulation in Brazil
Webinar: Net zero and zero deforestation: Assessing the potential impacts of the EU deforestation regulation in Brazil

Event date: September 6, 2023

Wed, 6 Sep 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Weston Library Lecture Theatre, Oxford, UK and online Net zero and zero deforestation: Assessing the potential impacts of the EU deforestation regulation in Brazil Sign up on Eventbrite. ABOUT THIS ... Read more

Latest news

Oxford Net Zero at COP28
Oxford Net Zero at COP28

The Oxford Net Zero community is mobilising its collective expertise to help drive ambition at COP28, being held in the UAE from 30 November – 12 December. Read more

ONZ is hiring: join us as a Research Assistant to remap the net zero voluntary initiatives landscape
ONZ is hiring: join us as a Research Assistant to remap the net zero voluntary initiatives landscape

Oxford Net Zero has an exciting opportunity for two Research Assistants to join the team from January 2024 to support our net zero standards re-mapping project. Joining ONZ's Engagement Team, the Research Assistants will work alongside Kaya ... Read more

Net Zero Regulation Stocktake
Net Zero Regulation Stocktake

What does the road to regulation look like, and how will we get there? Regulations related to the transition to net zero are already in place in a number of jurisdictions and are recommended by the United Nations to accelerate the transition to ... Read more

Oxford Net Zero launches autumn webinar series
Oxford Net Zero launches autumn webinar series

Join us this autumn for a series of webinars led by Oxford Net Zero fellows! Read more

Professor Myles Allen appointed Fellow of the Royal Society
Professor Myles Allen appointed Fellow of the Royal Society

Professor Myles Allen appointed Fellow of the Royal Society Read more

Oxford Net Zero is Hiring – Join as Fossil Fuel Fellow
Oxford Net Zero is Hiring – Join as Fossil Fuel Fellow

Oxford Net Zero has an exciting opening for a Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector and non-stipendiary Research Fellowship at Kellogg College. We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector ... Read more

See more news and events