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.Â
What is Net Zero?  Â
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.Â
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.Â
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
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.
Net zero regulation stocktake
A new report published by Oxford Net Zero presents a comprehensive ‘stocktake’ of developments in net-zero regulation across the G20 in 2023.
ONLINE COURSE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS
Our 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.
Events
Seminar Series: The Reality of Net Zero
Event date: January 22, 2025
Starting in January 2025, Oxford Net Zero, the ZERO Institute and OxEARTH will jointly host an online seminar series entitled "The Reality of Net Zero". Academics from the three institutions will give talks on why we need net zero, what ... Read more
From Policy to Practice: Retaining the Integrity of Net Zero – COP29 Ukraine Pavilion
Event date: November 12, 2024
Time: 9:30–11am (Azerbaijan Time – GMT+4) Location: Ukraine Pavilion, number F14, Blue Zone Join us in person at the Ukraine Pavilion and online. As countries worldwide accelerate their transition to Net Zero, emerging economies and ... Read more
Serviced Emissions UK Report Launch: Aligning Professional Services with Net-Zero
Event date: October 29, 2024
Time: 08.30–10.30am with networking until 11.30am. Location: The Conduit Club, 6 Langley Street WC2H 9JA. Event type: in-person breakfast event. Join Race to Zero, Oxford Net Zero and partners at this special event for professional ... Read more
Webinar: Climate solutions: the role of policy and regulation in scaling solutions for a low-carbon world
Event date: November 5, 2024
14:00–15:00 GMT/15:00–16:00 CET To halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and limit global warming to 1.5°C, we need to scale climate solutions (IPCC, 2022). Climate solutions must replace and transform high-emitting ... Read more
Panel discussion – Carbon removals: gaining traction or elusive pipedream?
Event date: September 24, 2024
Professor Myles Allen will join Julie Kitcher of Airbus and Ann-Sofie Hörlin of Scandinavian Airlines to discuss the role of carbon dioxide removal in the future of the aviation industry and the transition to Geological Net Zero at the IATA ... Read more
Webinar: Assessing alignment and gaps in the voluntary net zero standards landscape
Event date: June 19, 2024
June 19th, 11am-12pm BST. In this webinar, researchers from Oxford Net Zero explore the latest recommendations in the net-zero voluntary standards and guidance landscape. Join us to learn what the key areas of alignment are and where gaps ... Read more
Latest news
Oxford Net Zero announces affiliation with Reuben College
Oxford Net Zero is pleased to announce an affiliation with Reuben College. This new strategic partnership will allow us to collaborate more closely on environmental change, which we are both working to address as a core ... Read more
Using natural carbon sinks to offset emissions will not stop global warming, scientists say
As the COP29 negotiations continue, a new study published today in Nature demonstrates that protecting and maintaining natural carbon sinks, while vitally important, will not compensate for ongoing fossil fuel use. Natural carbon sinks such ... Read more
ONZ Fellows contribute to progress report for UN Secretary General
A new report, published today at COP29 in Baku and presented to the UN Secretary General, details the progress that non-state entities are making towards high-integrity net zero commitments. The report is a follow-up to the 2022 Integrity ... Read more
Job opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Carbon Accounting
The School of Geography and the Environment and the Department of Earth Sciences are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Carbon Accounting to work on the Net Zero Aviation project. This position involves researching carbon ... Read more
Young climate leaders funded by Oxford Net Zero and SSEE to attend COP29
The inaugural cohort of Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT) Programme bursary recipients will arrive in Baku, Azerbaijan in the coming days, ready to participate in their individual streams of work at COP29. The GYCT, a collaboration between ... Read more
Call for participants: “Unlocking the power of youth to develop equity in net-zero governance”
Oxford Net Zero's Engagement Team have an open call for youth aged 18-35 years old to participate in a new 8-month long research project to embed equity criteria into net-zero governance. There is perhaps no single demographic that will be ... Read more
See more news and events