1) The document discusses countries' net-zero emissions targets and how to understand them. It analyzes countries' targets based on their sectoral coverage, governance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, terminology, and timeframe. 2) While more countries setting net-zero targets is positive, the details and pathways to achieving the targets vary greatly between countries and need more clarity. 3) Translating long-term net-zero targets into near-term climate policies and plans, through mechanisms like NDCs, sector strategies, and low-emissions development plans, is important for implementation and assessing implications for the Paris Agreement's temperature goal.

1. Climate Change Expert Group www.oecd.org/env/cc/ccxg.htm
Understanding countries’ net-zero targets
Virtual CCXG Global Forum on the Environment and Climate Change
September 2021
Sirini Jeudy-Hugo (CCXG)
Based on: ‘’“Understanding Countries’ Net-Zero Emissions Targets”, S. Jeudy-
Hugo, L. Lo Re and C. Falduto (2021, draft)

2. 2 Climate Change Expert Group
Outline
• Context and background
• Unpacking countries’ net-zero targets
• How countries are translating net-zero targets into near-term policies
• Conclusions

3. 3 Climate Change Expert Group
Context and background
• To meet the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, Parties aim to “achieve a
balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by
sinks of GHGs gases in the second half of this century” (Article 4).
• Supported in 2018 IPCC Special Report and 2021 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
• Increasing number of net-zero commitments by countries and non-state
actors, but also a growing gap with near-term actions and open questions.
• Different pathways to reach net-zero with different risks, uncertainties,
challenges and opportunities

4. 4 Climate Change Expert Group
Mapping countries’ net-zero targets
(as of 11 August 2021)

5. 5 Climate Change Expert Group
Unpacking countries’ net-zero targets
Sectoral coverage
 Economy-wide
 Scope unclear
 Exclude specific sectors
Governance mechanisms
 Regular reporting cycles
 Independent expert bodies
 (High-level) committees
Stakeholder engagement
 Stakeholder groups
 Citizen assemblies
Terminology
 Net-zero emissions
 Climate neutrality
 GHG neutrality
 Carbon neutrality
Scope of GHG emissions
 All GHG emissions
 Only CO2 emissions
 Exclude specific gases
 Scope unclear
Timeframe
2030 2050 2060+
NET-ZERO
TARGETS

6. 6 Climate Change Expert Group
Translating net-zero targets into near-term plans
• 31 countries have adopted interim targets on their pathway to net-zero
• NDCs can be a useful tool to periodically set/adjust interim targets to net-zero
• Improved alignment between mid-term (NDCs) and long-term (net-zero) targets
• LT-LEDS, sectoral plans and domestic strategies can support implementation
• Lessons from country experiences in target setting and implementation

7. 7 Climate Change Expert Group
Conclusions
• Growing number of countries’ net-zero targets provide welcome signals of intent,
however targets are diverse and difficult to compare.
• Many details are currently unclear and the devil is in the details as different
approaches could have different outcomes.
• Greater clarity on key dimensions of countries’ net-zero targets, especially
how countries plan to meet their commitments, is important to improve
understanding of different net-zero targets and overall implications for
achieving the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.

8. 8 Climate Change Expert Group
Thank You!
sirini.jeudy-hugo@oecd.org
For further information:
www.oecd.org/env/cc/ccxg.htm