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.
Policies
NET ZERO NEWS & RESEARCH
PROGRESS TRACKING
Policies & criteria for net zero
78% of global GDP is covered by some form of net zero target. We work to ensure that these targets drive meaningful action that aligns with global temperature goals.
Latest work from Oxford Net Zero
Browse our most recent news, research and evidence-informed insights.
Taking stock of net zero action
Through collaborations across the University of Oxford, we contribute to progress tracking of progress 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 AND POLICIES
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
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.
ONLINE COURSE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS
Our 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, and the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, the GYCT gives youth the knowledge and tools to engage in the UNFCCC system. This programme is currently closed to applicants, but previous sessions can be watched online.
Events
Delivering fair and just net zero transitions in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies
Event date: June 24, 2026
This event is part of the University of Oxford at London Climate Action Week 2026 series. Time: Venue: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS Hosts: Oxford Net Zero, Institute for Science, Innovation and Society, AXA ... Read more
What Makes a Transition Plan Credible?
Event date: June 23, 2026
This event is part of the University of Oxford at London Climate Action Week 2026 series. Time: 15:00–16:30 Venue: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS Hosts: Oxford Martin School, Oxford Net Zero About: Despite rapid ... Read more
Serviced Emissions: The next frontier of climate leadership
Event date: June 23, 2026
This event is part of the University of Oxford at London Climate Action Week 2026 series. Time: 13:00–14:30 Venue: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS Hosts: Serviced Emissions Hub, Oxford Net Zero, Smith School of Enterprise ... Read more
Engaging global youth in climate governance – democratisation or virtue signalling?
Event date: June 23, 2026
This event is part of the University of Oxford at London Climate Action Week 2026 series. Time: 11:00–12:30 Venue: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS Hosts: Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust scholars and Oxford Net ... Read more
Shaping Impact: What’s next for the breakthrough Spheres of Influence framework
Event date: March 16, 2026
Your ‘Spheres of Influence’ could be an untapped sustainability superpower. This new approach is changing what it means for a company to be aligned to net zero. Are you up to speed on how? Join Futerra, Oxford Net Zero and a select group of ... Read more
Client Workshop on Serviced Emissions
Event date: March 16, 2026
Join Oxford Net Zero's Serviced Emissions Hub team for an in-person workshop on how client leadership can help advance credible progress on reaching net zero. What are "serviced emissions"? Serviced emissions are the greenhouse gas ... Read more
Latest news
Oxford Net Zero academics find cause for optimism in increasingly aligned net zero standards
New research from Oxford Net Zero and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment finds that the voluntary climate standards used by companies to set decarbonisation targets are increasingly unified and can drive effective and meaningful ... Read more
Five members of Oxford Net Zero to serve as IPCC authors
We're delighted to announce that five members of Oxford Net Zero have been named as authors on forthcoming reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Dr Steve Smith, our Executive Director, has been named as a Lead ... Read more
Kaya Axelsson named one of the UK’s 100 most impactful sustainability leaders
We're delighted to announce that Kaya Axelsson, our Net Zero Policy Engagement Fellow, has been named by edie as one of the UK's 100 most impactful sustainability leaders. Edie is a prominent UK business, media and publishing network that ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero marks five years and looks to the future
When Oxford Net Zero started in 2021, it was the very first programme to receive seed funding from the University's new Strategic Research Fund (SRF). Over the past five years, our programme has brought together researchers from across the ... Read more
Expert Comment: Should the UK relax clean energy targets?
(First published on the University of Oxford's news site. View the original here.) Dr Stuart Jenkins, Oxford Net Zero Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector, assesses whether new North Sea oil and gas strengthens the UK’s ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero reflects on COP30
Members of Oxford Net Zero travelled to Belém, Brazil last month to contribute their expertise at the COP30 summit. This year marked 30 years of COP and 10 years since the Paris Agreement. After so many rounds of negotiations, COP30 was to ... Read more
See more news and events