The Net-Zero Standard

The Net-Zero Standard provides companies with the guidance and tools they need to establish science-based net-zero targets. This standard was put into place to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.  

Key components of the net-zero standard include: 

Near-Term Targets: These are short-term goals that companies set to rapidly reduce emissions within the next five years, ideally before 2030. 

Long-Term Targets: These are long-term goals set in place with the goal of cutting all possible greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), ideally more than 90%, by 2050. 

Neutralize Residual Emissions: Once a company achieves its long-term targets of removing 90% of emissions, the remaining 10% of emissions that are unavoidable are neutralized. This means that companies then invest in projects that remove an equal amount of those emissions from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or restoring forests. 

Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM): After a company achieves its necessary targets to eliminate most of its own emissions, the company should invest in climate-positive projects outside its direct operations and supply chain.