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, 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.
Events
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
Webinar: Climate solutions: the role of policy and regulation in scaling solutions for a low-carbon world
Event date: November 5, 2024
14:00–15:00 GMT/15:00–16:00 CET To halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and limit global warming to 1.5°C, we need to scale climate solutions (IPCC, 2022). Climate solutions must replace and transform high-emitting ... Read more
Panel discussion – Carbon removals: gaining traction or elusive pipedream?
Event date: September 24, 2024
Professor Myles Allen will join Julie Kitcher of Airbus and Ann-Sofie Hörlin of Scandinavian Airlines to discuss the role of carbon dioxide removal in the future of the aviation industry and the transition to Geological Net Zero at the IATA ... Read more
Webinar: Assessing alignment and gaps in the voluntary net zero standards landscape
Event date: June 19, 2024
June 19th, 11am-12pm BST. In this webinar, researchers from Oxford Net Zero explore the latest recommendations in the net-zero voluntary standards and guidance landscape. Join us to learn what the key areas of alignment are and where gaps ... Read more
Net Zero Policy Network webinar: Mandatory transition plans
Event date: June 18, 2024
June 18th, 15:30 to 16:30 BST/16:30 to 17:30 CEST Hosted by the Net Zero Policy Network, this webinar will feature speakers from the Transition Plan Taskforce, companies writing and financing transition plans, and researchers studying the ... Read more
Latest news
Dr Radhika Khosla awarded the title of Professor of Environmental Science and Policy
Dr Radhika Khosla, formerly Associate Professor and researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, has been awarded the title of Professor of Environmental Science and Policy. The title was awarded ... Read more
Here’s how to make North Sea drilling compatible with net zero
By Professor Myles Allen, Founding Director of Oxford Net Zero and Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford. Originally published by the Financial Times on 29 July 2026. Republished with permission. Click here ... Read more
Job opening: Executive Officer, Impact and Engagement (now closed)
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOW CLOSED. 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. ... 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
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