Engagement Team
Our team operates at the intersection of research and stakeholder engagement, working collaboratively and positively with business, government and civil society to address the complex challenges of achieving net zero emissions and promoting sustainable development.
Guided by our translational research initiative, we provide an integrated, dispassionate perspective on the scientific, ecological, economic, and social challenges related to achieving net zero emissions. This approach is achieved through engagement with business leaders, civil society representatives, and policymakers at local, regional, national and international levels. By actively involving these stakeholders, we ensure that Oxford Net Zero’s research and practice is informed by real-world needs and considerations, facilitating the development of policy and business solutions.
We work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that the Oxford Net Zero research insights reach practitioners and that our research is informed by stakeholders.
Policy
Our team works to track net zero policy instruments at the national level, and works with international coalitions to close gaps in the global net zero accountability and integrity landscape.
Stocktake of policies and regulations
We took stock of key net zero policy and regulatory instruments in the G20 to allow us to support coalition efforts and accelerate the expansion of critical action for the implementation of NDCs.
Net Zero Accountability
Our team lead, Kaya Axelsson, has been appointed Co-Chair of the International Climate Politics Working Group on Net Zero Accountability and chairs coordination meetings with over forty NGO advocacy organisations developing advocacy positions and efforts to advance net zero policy and close gaps in the international net zero accountability ecosystem.
Standards
Our team has played a leading role and many supporting roles supporting the development of the latest net zero and net zero relevant standards. Our aim is to support standards in aligning with one another, reduce fragmentation, and maintain a strong reference to the science of net zero. Our research also identifies areas of convergence and fragmentation across the standards and voluntary initiatives landscape.
Direct Contributions
Our team lead, Kaya Axelsson, led technical authorship for the International Standard Organisation’s Net Zero Guidelines used by actors ranging from corporates to government departments.
Expert Consultation and Advice
Our team regularly contributes to consultation processes to inform the latest standards, including VCMI, GHGP, SBTi, and ISO and sector standards.
Private Sector Engagement
Our team works with sustainable business networks to convene private sector partners for precompetitive collaboration on net zero alignment in the real economy. Our private sector collaborations include:
Net Zero Assessment Tool
Net zero self-assessment tool for businesses seeking to test their alignment with the latest net zero guidance. This Readiness Check is hosted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and includes a 42-question checklist for companies. This is currently being rolled out to 200+ companies (WBCSD’s membership). https://www.theclimatedrive.org/net-zero-readiness-check
Defining Net Zero for Professional Services
Our Net Zero Integrity Manager, Alexis McGivern, is Co-Chair of the Race to Zero Working Group to provide guidance for service providers (i.e, consultancies, financial institutions, law firms) on how they can scale high ambition net zero strategies. Within this we are running a series of workshops with key sectors on the levers they are using to scale net zero integrity across their networks of influence including:
- Consultancy Net Zero (CNZ) Knowledge Exchange, hosting consultations and running 4 workshops through 2024
https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/system/race-to-zero/
Wider Engagement
We engage regularly with major business associations’ sustainability officers on key issues related to net zero integrity, including offsetting, scope coverage and what net zero means for the fossil fuel industry including a managed phase out and the definition of abatement.
An image of a wind farm.
Youth and Civil Society Engagement
Our public-facing work on net zero integrity includes:
Youth Climate Training
Training programme for young climate activists to deepen their technincal literacy across the different UNFCCC negotiations tracks ahead of COP28, with 4,500 climate justice activists attending.
Net Zero Wikipedia
We are working to support the development of a new Net Zero Wikipedia page, which previously defaulted to ‘Carbon Neutral’.
Demystifying Net Zero
We regularly deliver a presentation called “Demystifying Net Zero” on the key terms and guidance. We are available to give this presentation as needed.
Civil Society Perceptions
We have an ongoing research project on civil society/climate justice perceptions of the net zero governance landscape, with groups and actors such as ClientEarth. These will support a research paper to inform our standards community on opportunities for growth in net zero definition and norms. Please contact alexis.mcgivern@ouce.ox.ac.uk for more information.
Public Fellows Seminars
See our next public seminar as a part of the Oxford Net Zero Fellows Seminar Series.
About Us
Kaya Axelsson
Our team lead, covering our workstreams on standards and policy engagement.
Alexis McGivern
Our Net Zero Integrity Manager, leads our workstream on private sector, civil society, and youth engagement.
Ranjita Rajan
Serves on our team as a Business Fellow of the Smith School, advising on our private sector work streams, including our private equity and professional services initiatives.
Lucilla Dias
Leads our net zero policy and regulation tracking.
Dr Matilda Becker
Coordinates across Oxford Net Zero’s strategic partnerships in policy, civil society, business, and standards
Dr Aoife Brophy
Lecturer in Innovation and Enterprise and ONZ co-investigator
Lauren McCormack
Supports our team on Communications content and writing.
News and Events
Onshore geological carbon storage has potential in the UK, but key knowledge and regulatory gaps remain – ONZ report
A new report by a team of Oxford Net Zero researchers reviews the current state of knowledge on onshore geological carbon storage (GCS) and its feasibility in the UK. Read more
Oxford launches revised Offsetting Principles
As part of their net zero strategies, many companies, organisations, cities, regions and financial institutions are relying on voluntary carbon credits to offset their residual emissions. But evidence continues to cast doubt on the integrity of ... Read more
Job Opening at ONZ: Impact and Operations Officer
Oxford Net Zero is looking for a highly organised and motivated Impact and Operations Officer to join its team. You will be working alongside the Programme Manager, Cath Ibbotson, and the Head of Policy and Partnerships, Kaya Axelsson to ... Read more
Net Zero Regulation Stocktake Publishes Results
A new report published by Oxford Net Zero presents a comprehensive ‘stocktake’ of developments in net-zero regulation across the G20 in 2023. It focuses primarily on four regulatory domains: claims and financial products standards, disclosure, ... Read more
New ONZ report on rolling out renewables in the Global South
The scaling up of clean electricity, and using it to decarbonise other parts of the economy, is central to all decarbonisation pathways. In their latest report, “Rolling out renewables in the Global South”, Oxford Net Zero’s Sam Fankhauser ... Read more
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
See more news and events