Oxford Net Zero
Oxford Net Zero is a University of Oxford research initiative producing evidence-based tools, frameworks, and standards for credible net zero target-setting across governments, corporations, and civil society. Founded in 2021, it operates the Net Zero Tracker and Serviced Emissions Hub as public goods.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersOxford, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Oxford Net Zero does
Oxford Net Zero is an academic research initiative hosted by the University of Oxford, founded in 2021 as the first programme to receive seed funding from the University's Strategic Research Fund. The organization produces evidence-based research, tools, and frameworks to support credible net zero target-setting and implementation across governments, corporations, and civil society. Its core offerings include the Net Zero Climate Platform (principles, policies, tools, and progress tracking), the Net Zero Tracker (global dataset of net zero commitments across nations, sub-national governments, and corporations), the Serviced Emissions Hub (accountability framework for professional service providers), the Net Zero Aviation project (geologically balanced fuels research with IATA and VietJet), the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal reports, and Net Zero Standards Mapping assessments across 37 guidance documents. Educational programmes include the Global Youth Climate Training Programme and the Oxford Sustainable Business Programme.
The organization is led by Executive Director Dr Steve Smith, Principal Investigator Prof Myles Allen, and Research Director Prof Sam Fankhauser, with a 55-person team affiliated with the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, School of Geography and the Environment, and other Oxford departments. Oxford Net Zero operates a community-led go-to-market model focused on policy engagement, standards development (including ISO Net Zero Guidelines, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, SBTi alignment, UNFCCC Article 6.4), and convening events across London Climate Action Week, COP, and showcase presentations. The organization holds no commercial pricing model, distributing all outputs as public goods at no direct cost.
Revenue is non-commercial and derived entirely from institutional sources: the University of Oxford Strategic Research Fund and additional grant funding. Strategic partners include IATA, Race to Zero, GHG Protocol, Normative (Net-Zero Policy Network), Purpose Disruptors, Legal Charter 1.5, Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Pledge to Net Zero, and UNFCCC. The organization wields measurable influence on global net zero governance, with five members serving as IPCC authors and recognition including an MBE for the Executive Director.
Oxford Net Zero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oxford Net Zero
- Legal name
- Oxford Net Zero
- Website
- https://netzeroclimate.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Oxford Net Zero is a University of Oxford research initiative producing evidence-based tools, frameworks, and standards for credible net zero target-setting across governments, corporations, and civil society. Founded in 2021, it operates the Net Zero Tracker and Serviced Emissions Hub as public goods.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oxford Net Zero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Research and Policy
- akta.pro primary industry
- Net-Zero Target Setting & SBTi/Net-Zero Standard Support (EUABAKAA)
Keywords
Where Oxford Net Zero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oxford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oxford Net Zero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Institutional Funding: Oxford Net Zero is a research initiative hosted by the University of Oxford, funded through the University's Strategic Research Fund and additional grant funding. The organization was the first programme to receive seed funding from Oxford's new Strategic Research Fund in 2021 and has raised additional funding since.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Oxford Net Zero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oxford Net Zero is a University of Oxford research initiative that produces evidence-based research, tracking tools, and frameworks to help governments, businesses, and standards bodies set credible net zero targets aligned with limiting warming to 1.5°C. Its core outputs include the Net Zero Tracker for global target accountability, the Net Zero Tools Library, voluntary standards landscape assessments, and frameworks such as the Serviced Emissions methodology for professional service providers.
Product overview
Oxford Net Zero operates as a research and policy initiative hosted by the University of Oxford, offering a portfolio of platforms, tools, educational programs, and publications focused on achieving net zero emissions. The core offering is the Net Zero Climate Platform, which provides principles, policies, practical tools (Net Zero Tools Library), and progress tracking. Supporting offerings include the Serviced Emissions Hub for professional services accountability, Net Zero Aviation research on geologically balanced fuels, and the Net Zero Tracker for global target tracking. Educational initiatives include the Global Youth Climate Training Programme, Oxford Sustainable Business Programme, and an online course for public servants. The organization also publishes the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal reports and Net Zero Standards Mapping reports. All offerings work together to advance credible, equitable net zero transitions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Serviced Emissions Hub: A research and engagement initiative helping professional services providers account for the climate impact of their work
- Net Zero Aviation
- Global Youth Climate Training Programme
Products and services
- Net Zero Climate Platform A platform hosted by the University of Oxford that brings together principles and policies, practical tools, and progress tracking to help businesses and policymakers achieve net zero emissions goals.
- Net Zero Tools Library A library of practical tools helping institutions of all kinds set and achieve their net zero targets.
- Net Zero Tracker A tool developed to track net zero targets globally, providing transparency and accountability for net zero targets pledged by nations, states, regions, cities, and companies.
- Serviced Emissions Hub A research and engagement initiative led by Oxford Net Zero helping professional service providers (law firms, consulting firms, ad agencies) account for the climate impact of their advice and ensure net zero standards better recognize their influence.
- Global Youth Climate Training Programme A collaboration between Oxford Net Zero and the Global Youth Coalition and Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, providing youth with knowledge and tools to engage in the UNFCCC system.
- Oxford Sustainable Business Programme An executive education initiative for sustainability leaders, co-led by Oxford Net Zero.
- Net Zero Aviation A project assessing the feasibility and potential impact of geologically balanced fuels (GBFs) as a complementary strategy to emissions reductions or Sustainable Aviation Fuel for net zero aviation.
- Online Course for Public Servants A comprehensive online course providing public servants with an overview of net zero, including its challenges, and exploring how they can promote the transition to net zero.
- State of Carbon Dioxide Removal Reports Independent scientific assessment reports tracking the development of carbon dioxide removal technologies.
- Net Zero Standards Mapping Reports Comprehensive assessments of voluntary net zero standards, guidance documents, disclosure instruments and assessment frameworks mapping criteria across the net zero governance landscape.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% of net zero standards reviewed recommend tying executive remuneration to climate targets
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Oxford Net Zero
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Oxford Net Zero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Oxford Net Zero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NormativecoreJoint initiative to launch the Net-Zero Policy Network, bringing together businesses, policymakers, and academia to catalyze clear, fair, and aligned climate policy and action.
- VietJetcoreVietJet supports the Net Zero Aviation project examining geologically balanced fuels (GBFs) as a complementary strategy for net zero aviation, alongside Oxford Net Zero and IATA collaboration.
- IATAcorePartnership with the International Air Transport Association on the Net Zero Aviation project to develop policies and reporting standards for geologically balanced fuels.
- Race to ZerocoreOxford Net Zero co-convened the Race to Zero Professional Services Working Group in 2023 and co-published the Catalysing Climate Action Report, leading to the Serviced Emissions Hub initiative.
- Greenhouse Gas ProtocolcoreAlexis McGivern serves as member of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Technical Working Group, contributing to the first revision of the Corporate Standard in over twenty years.
- Purpose DisruptorscoreImplementation Working Group lead for advertising, marketing & PR sector in the Serviced Emissions Hub, developing the Advertised Emissions framework adopted by the UN.
- Legal Charter 1.5coreImplementation Working Group lead for the legal sector, developing methodology for 'advised emissions' assessment.
- Exponential Roadmap InitiativecoreImplementation Working Group lead for the consulting sector, developing application of Professional Services Matrix.
- Pledge to Net ZerocoreImplementation Working Group partner for environment and engineering sector, focusing on science-based targets.
- UNFCCC Article 6.4minorInjy Johnstone serves on the UNFCCC's Article 6.4 Expert Roster, contributing to carbon market governance.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Oxford Net Zero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Carbon Brief: Climate science and policy journalism and analysis site covering net zero policy and corporate action. Partially comparable as a UK-based climate information platform shaping policy discourse, though primarily journalistic rather than research-driven.
- Normative: Carbon accounting software and net zero advisory firm that co-launched the Net-Zero Policy Network with Oxford Net Zero. Adjacent comparison as a commercial partner offering operational carbon accounting tools informed by ONZ's research.
Direct peers
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI): Independent research organisation working on climate policy, sustainable development, and governance. Comparable as a peer research institute producing evidence-based guidance for net zero and just transition policy design.
- Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI): Independent assessment of corporate and investor climate action, particularly for high-emitting sectors. Comparable as an academic-hosted, evidence-based accountability initiative tracking progress against net zero commitments.
- NewClimate Institute: Independent climate policy research organisation producing assessments of corporate and government climate action. Closely comparable to Oxford Net Zero for its evidence-based net zero standards assessment and corporate accountability work.
- University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL): University-based sustainability research and leadership development organisation. Directly comparable to Oxford Net Zero's blend of research, executive education, and policy engagement with corporate and government audiences.
- Climate Action Tracker: Independent scientific assessment that tracks government climate pledges and policies against Paris Agreement goals. Closely comparable to Oxford Net Zero as a research-driven transparency and accountability initiative influencing net zero policy and standards.
Broad incumbents
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organisation that co-manages the GHG Protocol and produces extensive corporate climate guidance. Comparable as a research and standards-body partner on net zero accounting and target setting; larger in scope and resources.
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Defines corporate net zero target-setting standards used by thousands of companies. Directly comparable to Oxford Net Zero's standards and target-setting work, though SBTi is the formal standard-setter while ONZ contributes research and frameworks.
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Operates the world's largest environmental disclosure platform used by corporations and investors. Comparable to Oxford Net Zero's Net Zero Tracker in providing transparency on corporate climate commitments, but at significantly greater commercial scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oxford Net Zero social profiles
Digital presenceOxford Net Zero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oxford Net Zero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Oxford Net Zero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Oxford Net Zero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Oxford Net Zero
What does Oxford Net Zero do?
Oxford Net Zero is a University of Oxford research initiative that produces evidence-based research, tracking tools, and frameworks to help governments, businesses, and standards bodies set credible net zero targets aligned with limiting warming to 1.5°C. Its core outputs include the Net Zero Tracker for global target accountability, the Net Zero Tools Library, voluntary standards landscape assessments, and frameworks such as the Serviced Emissions methodology for professional service providers.
Is Oxford Net Zero a public or private company?
Oxford Net Zero is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Oxford Net Zero founded?
Oxford Net Zero was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Oxford Net Zero based?
Oxford Net Zero is headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Oxford Net Zero make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Grants and Institutional Funding.
Who are Oxford Net Zero's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Carbon Brief and Normative. Direct peers are Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), NewClimate Institute, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Climate Action Tracker. Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute (WRI), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project).
Does Oxford Net Zero have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oxford Net Zero.
What industry is Oxford Net Zero in?
Oxford Net Zero's product category is Climate Research and Policy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAKAA, Net-Zero Target Setting & SBTi/Net-Zero Standard Support.