Net ZERO Policy
Net Zero: An international policy target
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report Global Warming of 1.5ºC provided evidence on the requirement that we meet a global net zero target by the middle of the century, providing a deadline for policy targets. And in 2015, a global target to reach net zero emissions was set with governments around the world taking up the policy goal by ratifying the Paris Agreement.
Remarkably, a new report from the think tank ECIU shows that 49 percent of global GDP is already covered by cities, states, and provinces, and countries that either have net zero targets or are working toward them. This surge of net zero targets shows strong ambition but a gap remains between ambition and action, and often this is due to a gap in information about what a net zero aligned policy entails. On this site we offer resources for assessing whether policy initiatives are aligned with the global goal to reduce temperature outcomes and bring visibility to trends and challenges in current net zero policy.
As a start for policy makers see the minimum criteria for net zero policy and how to join the UNFCCC Race to Zero.
Net zero at a global scale requires that all emissions of greenhouse gases should be balanced by their removal from the atmosphere.
Policies by sector
Find out more about how key policies are driving progress to net zero in each sector.
Net Zero APPG
Read the Net Zero APPG’s 10pt Net Zero Action Plan.
National policies
Find out how national politics can accelerate the transition to net zero.
Local policies
Find out what policies enacted on the local level have the most impact towards net zero goals.
Official criteria
The steps above come from the official criteria for joining the Race to Zero campaign.
The criteria were created by the networks and initiatives that form the race to zero's international climate action community.
You can download the criteria here, with questions to ask your institution about its targets.
News and Events
Launched: ICC SME Climate Hub – Action tools for small and medium-sized businesses
The SME Climate Hub has joined forces with Oxford University to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tools and resources to help them take climate action. Ahead of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement signing, the freely ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero: Understanding what it will take to halt global warming
With Joe Biden in the White House, 2021 could be the year the world embraces net zero: but universities still have work to do to turn a trendy phrase into meaningful action to halt the climate crisis. If it weren’t for Covid-19, the annual UN ... Read more
The Fossil Fuel Industry Knows How To Stop Global Warming, But Why Don’t They? – Myles Allen
Oxford University climate science scholar Myles Allen presented this Ted Talk at Countdown: a global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. The fossil fuel industry knows how to stop global warming, but they’re waiting ... Read more
Oxford Launches New Principles For Credible Carbon Offsetting
The University of Oxford has launched new principles for credible carbon offsetting to provide guidelines to help ensure offsetting actually helps to achieve a net zero society. Carbon offsetting is a widespread tool in efforts to achieve net ... Read more
Conference of Parties Delayed To 2021 – Informal Dialogues To Be Held November 2020
On the same week when nations around the world would have come together to negotiate climate ambition this year, a series of voluntary, informal dialogues will be held between leaders of industry and government as well as with youth activists on Read more
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