Net zero and 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. 

This research theme is separated into three parts: an equitable transition, socio-ecological sustainability, and the generation of new economic opportunities.

EQUITABLE TRANSITION

The burden of meeting global net zero must be shared fairly.

The Paris Agreement emphasises the need for an equitable transition – in efforts to reduce poverty, net zero needs to be achieved in the context of sustainable development.

A balancing of responsibilities may therefore be required – the global peaking of emissions may take longer for developing countries.

Different countries should tailor their paths to net zero, based on their national circumstances, with some reaching net zero faster to support those developing more slowly.

SOcio-ecological sustainability

To achieve durable net zero without negative ecological and social consequences, plans need to be aligned with complementary sustainability objectives.

Climate change is interlinked with other socio-ecological challenges, many of which have the same root causes.

Net zero plans need to take these challenges into account, in order to simultaneously limit surface warming, slow biodiversity declines and support human societies.

new economic opportunities

Net zero prosperity can materialise through cycles of clean investment, renewal and growth.

To ensure a fair transition to net zero economies, cross-sector collaboration, generous social protection and investment in education and skills are required.

OTHER RESEARCH THEMES

What is net zero?
the urgency of zero
Carbon Dioxide Removal
Carbon offsetting

News and Events

Job opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Carbon Accounting
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

Young climate leaders funded by Oxford Net Zero and SSEE to attend COP29
Young climate leaders funded by Oxford Net Zero and SSEE to attend COP29

The inaugural cohort of Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT) Programme bursary recipients will arrive in Baku, Azerbaijan in the coming days, ready to participate in their individual streams of work at COP29.  The GYCT, a collaboration between ... Read more

Call for participants: “Unlocking the power of youth to develop equity in net-zero governance”
Call for participants: “Unlocking the power of youth to develop equity in net-zero governance”

Oxford Net Zero's Engagement Team have an open call for youth aged 18-35 years old to participate in a new 8-month long research project to embed equity criteria into net-zero governance.  There is perhaps no single demographic that will be ... Read more

Net Zero Stocktake 2024 launches at New York Climate Week
Net Zero Stocktake 2024 launches at New York Climate Week

The Net Zero Tracker (NZT) has today launched its 2024 Net Zero Stocktake at Climate Week NYC. Oxford Net Zero Co-Investigator Professor Thomas Hale, who co-led the report, spoke on the panel at the event, which took place at the UN General ... Read more

Job opening – Data Lead: Net Zero Tracker (NOW CLOSED)
Job opening – Data Lead: Net Zero Tracker (NOW CLOSED)

Please note that this opportunity is now closed.  This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the project providing crucial data for assessing net zero commitments around the world – https://www.zerotracker.net. The Net Zero ... Read more

Findings from Scope 3 workshops hosted by Oxford Net Zero and Grantham Institute at Imperial College London published
Findings from Scope 3 workshops hosted by Oxford Net Zero and Grantham Institute at Imperial College London published

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is the largest validator of corporate net-zero targets, representing nearly 40% of the global economy by market capitalisation, through assessment against its Corporate Net Zero Standard. In April ... Read more

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