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.
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
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
REACHING NET ZERO: OUR COURSE FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS
Oxford Net Zero and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment’s 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.
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.
Events
Public Lecture: How the World Agreed on Net Zero by Prof Myles Allen
Event date: May 23, 2023
Tuesday, 23 May 2023 - 18:00 Venue: Bernard's Inn Hall and online The climate had a bad year in 2009. Talks collapsed. Emails were hacked. And several papers found even 50-80% reductions weren’t enough: we had to get to net zero. Yet six ... Read more
Report launch: The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal
Event date: January 19, 2023
Thu, 19 January 2023, 16:00 – 17:30 GMT, Online, Register here. Join us at the launch of a significant new report, The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal – a first-of-its kind, independent, scientific assessment, tracking the development of ... Read more
Webinar: Smith School COP27 Round Up
Event date: November 17, 2022
Thu, 17 November 2022, 11:30 – 12:30 GMT, Online, Register here. Our expert panel will share their highlights of COP27 and take stock of progress. They will address the most significant developments as well as identifying areas which missed ... Read more
Public Lecture: The Atmospheric Physics Behind Net Zero by Prof Myles Allen
Event date: November 22, 2022
Tuesday, 22 Nov 2022, 18:00 Venue: David Game College & online (hybrid) Before net zero, climate policy was all about contraction and convergence of emissions between rich and poor to achieve, in the words of the Rio Convention, ... Read more
Webinar: Geological carbon storage: Barriers, (mis)conceptions and opportunities
Event date: October 31, 2022
Mon, 31 October 2022, 16:00 – 17:00 GMT. Join experts as they discuss the technical, social and policy factors affecting the upscaling of geological carbon storage. Sign up on Eventbrite. In order to keep average global warming to less ... Read more
Webinar: The Path to Net Zero Integrity: From Voluntary Best Practice to Policy
Event date: October 21, 2022
Fri, 21 October 2022, 14:00 – 15:30 BST. How can we drive ambition for net zero regulation? Join as experts discuss the key issues. Sign up on Eventbrite. Corporate net zero commitments are on the rise. By the ... Read more
Latest news
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
ONZ is hiring: join us as a Research Assistant to remap the net zero voluntary initiatives landscape
Oxford Net Zero has an exciting opportunity for two Research Assistants to join the team from January 2024 to support our net zero standards re-mapping project. Joining ONZ's Engagement Team, the Research Assistants will work alongside Kaya ... Read more
Net Zero Regulation Stocktake
What does the road to regulation look like, and how will we get there? Regulations related to the transition to net zero are already in place in a number of jurisdictions and are recommended by the United Nations to accelerate the transition to ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero launches autumn webinar series
Join us this autumn for a series of webinars led by Oxford Net Zero fellows! Read more
Professor Myles Allen appointed Fellow of the Royal Society
Professor Myles Allen appointed Fellow of the Royal Society Read more
Oxford Net Zero is Hiring – Join as Fossil Fuel Fellow
Oxford Net Zero has an exciting opening for a Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector and non-stipendiary Research Fellowship at Kellogg College. We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow on Net Zero for the Fossil Fuel Sector ... Read more
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