Navigating the Nuances of Net-Zero Targets

This report by the NewClimate Institute examines the increasing prevalence of net-zero emissions targets among companies, cities, and regions, highlighting how ambiguities in implementation approaches can obscure actual ambition and the need for greater transparency to ensure accountability.

• The adoption of net-zero pledges by cities, regions, and companies has roughly doubled since late 2019. By October 2020, these targets were held by at least 826 cities, 103 regions, and 1,565 companies globally, representing more than 880 million residents, 24.9 million employees, and 10 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Net-zero targets are often ambiguous because implementation approaches vary between direct emission reductions, the use of offsetting for neutralisation, or carbon dioxide removal. Specific nuances in these approaches—particularly regarding electricity-related emissions and supply chain or out-of-boundary emissions—determine whether a target leads to deep decarbonisation or lacks real impact.
• Increasing transparency regarding the nuances of net-zero targets is essential for identifying truly ambitious actors and creating accountability. Transparency serves as a tool to facilitate constructive dialogues and positive pressure, which can be more solution-oriented than claims based on opaque accounting.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2020). Navigating the Nuances of Net-Zero Targets. https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/navigating-the-nuances-of-net-zero-targets

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Navigating the Nuances of Net-Zero Targets. 2020. https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/navigating-the-nuances-of-net-zero-targets.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Navigating the Nuances of Net-Zero Targets |date=22 October 2020 |url=https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/navigating-the-nuances-of-net-zero-targets |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2020navigating, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Navigating the Nuances of Net-Zero Targets}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://newclimate.org/resources/publications/navigating-the-nuances-of-net-zero-targets}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }