Loading...
BETA – We are refining the platform. Your feedback helps us improve. Share feedback
Loading...
Net zero is a state in which the greenhouse gases an organisation adds to the atmosphere are balanced by an equal amount removed from it. Reaching net zero means cutting emissions as deeply as possible, then removing any residual emissions through carbon removal projects. The aim is to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Net zero targets have become the benchmark commitment for organisations serious about climate action. Companies setting net zero goals are increasingly expected to back them with credible, science-based transition plans.
Carbon neutrality is a state in which the net carbon dioxide emissions linked to an entity or activity equal zero. It is reached by measuring emissions, reducing them as far as possible, and compensating for the remainder through carbon offsets. Carbon neutrality differs from net zero, which usually requires deeper absolute emission reductions.
A carbon offset is a reduction or removal of greenhouse gas emissions made to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere. Offsets are typically measured in metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent and can be generated through projects such as reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture. They are purchased as credits on voluntary or compliance carbon markets.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides companies with a clearly defined pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. It validates corporate emission reduction targets against climate science to ensure they are ambitious enough. SBTi targets cover Scope 1, 2, and increasingly Scope 3 emissions, with a net-zero standard for long-term decarbonisation.
Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation. These include emissions from on-site fuel combustion, company vehicles, and industrial processes. They are the most straightforward emissions for a company to measure and reduce.