Net Zero
Net zero refers to a state where an organisation's greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere, achieved primarily through emissions reduction with residual emissions offset.
Definition
Net zero describes a target state in which an organisation's total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as far as practically possible, with any remaining, unavoidable emissions balanced by an equivalent amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere — through verified carbon removal projects rather than emissions-reduction offsets alone.
Credible net zero targets, as defined by bodies like the Science Based Targets initiative, place primary emphasis on actual emissions reduction (typically 90%+ of a baseline) before any offsetting or removal is applied to the residual amount — as opposed to relying heavily on offsets to claim a "net zero" status without meaningfully reducing underlying emissions.
Why It Matters
Net zero commitments are increasingly scrutinised for credibility — vague targets or heavy reliance on offsets without genuine reduction are a common source of "greenwashing" criticism, so demonstrating a credible, well-measured reduction pathway matters as much as the target itself.
How ecolyptus Helps
ecolyptus's carbon accounting and forecasting capabilities give organisations a measurable baseline and ongoing tracking against it, providing the underlying evidence needed to support a credible net zero pathway rather than an unsubstantiated claim.