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
Oxford Net Zero Showcase
Event date: February 11, 2026
On Wednesday 11 February we will host the Oxford Net Zero Showcase at the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre, Worcester College. Our six Strategic Research Fund Fellows (Dr Jessica Omukuti, Dr Tom Kettlety, Kaya Axelsson, Dr Aline Soterroni, Dr Selam ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero at London Climate Action Week
Event date: June 25, 2025
Join Oxford Net Zero at London Climate Action Week! Oxford Net Zero, Race to Zero and SBTi, joined by leading business representatives, will highlight how and why your company should implement the ‘just transition’. Just transition planning is ... Read more
Inaugural Oxford Symposium on the Carbon Removal Budget: Bridging Science, Equity, and Innovation.
Event date: July 31, 2025
About The global net-zero transition necessitates the active integration of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategies alongside emission reductions. However, with CDR emerging as a finite resource, a clearer understanding of its availability, ... Read more
Seminar Series: The Reality of Net Zero
Event date: January 22, 2025
Starting in January 2025, Oxford Net Zero, the ZERO Institute and Oxford EARTH 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
Latest news
Job opening: Executive Officer, Impact and Engagement
Oxford Net Zero is seeking an organised and proactive Executive Officer to support its policy engagement and impact activities focused on corporate climate action, accountability, and net zero governance. Reporting to the Head of Policy ... Read more
ISO Net Zero Draft International Standard now available for public consultation
The ISO Draft International Standard (DIS) 14060 Net zero aligned organisations is now available and ready for public consultation. You can download the draft standard from the BSI website here (opens new page). This standard builds on ... Read more
ONZ Executive Director Steve Smith appointed MBE for services to Climate Science
We're delighted to announce that Dr Steve Smith has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Climate Science. Steve is Arnell Associate Professor of Greenhouse Gas Removal at the Smith School of ... Read more
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
See more news and events