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
Webinar: Net zero for influenced emissions: The role of global professional service providers
Event date: September 13, 2023
Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Weston Library Lecture Theatre, Oxford, UK and online Net zero for influenced emissions: The role of global professional service providers Sign up on Eventbrite. Professional service providers, such ... Read more
Webinar: Net zero and zero deforestation: Assessing the potential impacts of the EU deforestation regulation in Brazil
Event date: September 6, 2023
Wed, 6 Sep 2023 14:00 - 15:30 BST, Weston Library Lecture Theatre, Oxford, UK and online Net zero and zero deforestation: Assessing the potential impacts of the EU deforestation regulation in Brazil Sign up on Eventbrite. ABOUT THIS ... Read more
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
Latest news
Oxford Net Zero partners with AXA XL on research in India, Mexico and Kenya
Oxford Net Zero is excited to announce that it is working with the insurance company AXA XL, the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society (InSIS), and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment to conduct research on private sector ... Read more
Finance, Fossil Fuels and $10 coffee: Reflections on COP29
As we begin a new year, Oxford Net Zero looks back on the highs and lows of November's climate summit in Baku. In some ways, this COP was different. The venue was smaller than in previous years, which meant that attendees could have genuine ... Read more
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 objective. Professor ... 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
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