International net zero policy
Net Zero as an Already Agreed upon International Target
The international goal to achieve net zero has already been established in the Paris Agreement. The ‘bottom-up’ architecture of the agreement, means that the implementation of this goal is left to each nation. Nations are to hold each other accountable by taking stock of each other’s actions. They are also tasked to raise their ambition towards full decarbonization every five years. The first scheduled stock-take of climate action and ratchet-up of climate ambition is due in November 2020 as part of COP26 Glasgow. The Paris Agreement also considers non-state actors, such as international coalitions of cities, regions and businesses, in the international process.
The most critical role of the international processes is to provide useful platforms to enhance ambition and share best practices on how to achieve the net zero goal. At the latest UN climate conference (COP25), a “Climate Ambition Alliance” identified actors “working towards” net zero. This alliance is the broadest base of actors and includes 120 countries (including the EU member states), 400 cities, 800 businesses, and 15 states and regions.
Although implementation of the Paris Agreement is left to each state, further international-global discussion is relevant. Discussion is needed to reach agreement on core issues such as emissions accounting and greenhouse gas removal strategies.
The most critical role of the international processes is to provide useful platforms to enhance ambition and share best practices on how to achieve the net zero goal.
Business for Net Zero
This page provides resources for businesses seeking to develop their own net zero business plans and to contribute to the wider effort to mitigate the climate crisis by identifying the solutions, risks and opportunities for achieving net zero in each sector.
The conveyor belt of progress: time for an update?
This blog was written by Rose Hansen, who recently completed a micro-internship with Oxford Net Zero's Engagement Team. From its inception, Oxford Net Zero has existed as a resource for companies who want to align themselves with ... 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
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