Tool

Setting a Science-Based Target

Aug 18, 2020

Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly defined pathway to future-proof growth by specifying how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Paris agreement in 2015 saw 195 of the world’s governments commit to preventing dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees celsius. This signaled an acceleration in the transition to a low carbon economy. Many companies are already demonstrating they have the skills, expertise, and ingenuity to make this a reality – but need ambitious emissions reduction targets that ensure the transformational action they take is aligned with current climate science.

Targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered “science-based” if they are in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Do more for your business

Pledge

Resources for pledging a Net Zero target

Find out more

Plan

Resources for making a Net Zero business plan

Find out more

Proceed

Resources for taking immediate action toward achieving Net Zero

Find out more

Publish

Resources for reporting your progress

Find out more

Partner

Resources for partnering with other organisations and sectors to ensure a global, coordinated Net Zero future 

Find out more

Latest news

Kaya Axelsson named one of the UK’s 100 most impactful sustainability leaders
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

Building Momentum on Serviced Emissions: Oxford Net Zero’s Client Workshops
Building Momentum on Serviced Emissions: Oxford Net Zero’s Client Workshops

By Siddharth Shekhar Yadav and Alexis McGivern.   How can client leadership across professional services help unlock credible net-zero progress? This question is at the heart of our upcoming workshop at the University of Oxford ... Read more

Oxford Net Zero marks five years and looks to the future
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

See more news and events