Governing Net Zero

“Net zero” has gone from a scientific concept to a demand of fringe activists, to a mainstream organizing principle for mitigation in record time. After COP26, at least 90% of the global economy is covered by some kind of net-zero pledge. But having reached the “end of the beginning” of net zero—a near-universal commitment to the destination climate science says we need to arrive at by the middle of the century—a more difficult phase emerges. A concept describing a global outcome must be operationalized for individual countries, regions, cities, sectors, and companies. Pledges must become binding pathways with sufficient short-term action to be credible.

The next phase of net zero therefore requires building political power to shift rules and institutions that drive change; it requires governance. Visiting Scholar Thomas Hale explores what might an effective governance system look like, including voluntary programs, UN-led orchestration campaigns, international standards, and national regulations.