Page last updated on 16th March 2026
What does net zero mean?
You’ve probably noticed that the term ‘net zero’ comes up a lot in discussions of sustainability and climate change. But what is net zero? What does ‘net zero emissions’ mean, and how can it be achieved?
On this page, we’ll be delving into the meaning of net zero and looking at the UK’s net zero targets.
What is net zero emissions?
To understand what net zero means, we first need to understand greenhouse gases. These are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming. Emissions from vehicles, factories and homes add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, worsening climate change.
‘Net zero’ is short for ‘net zero emissions’, meaning the total amount of greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere is balanced by the amount removed. You might also hear it called ‘net zero carbon’, meaning that the amount of carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere is essentially zero.
Bear in mind that there’s a ‘net’ in ‘net zero’, meaning you’re considering both what is added and what is taken away. It’s essential to reduce emissions as much as we can, but it may not be possible to stop all emissions completely.
Therefore, in an ideal society that has achieved net zero, all greenhouse gas emissions are balanced. Whenever carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere, the same quantity should also be taken away.
In short: even if there are still some emissions in a net zero world, they are balanced by actions that use the same amount, such as restoring forests.
Visit Energy Saving Trust, an impartial and trusted organisation for energy efficiency, to learn more about net zero.
How do countries achieve net zero targets?
Now that we have our net zero carbon definition, we can understand how different countries and governments are working to reduce and balance greenhouse gas emissions.
Here are some of the strategies being used to achieve net zero targets:
Moving away from energy generation methods that produce a lot of emissions
Moving away from energy generation methods that produce a lot of emissions such as burning fossil fuels. Instead, using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power can help manage our emissions.
Planting and protecting trees
Because trees absorb carbon dioxide, forests help to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Older trees have a greater effect than new trees, so protecting existing forests is especially important.
Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced by industry is captured and stored underground rather than being allowed to escape into the atmosphere.
Funding and encouraging more efficient energy use across the population
Actions taken by individuals can add up to contribute to reduce carbon production. For example, being more energy efficient at home.
If you want to be more energy-efficient at home, consider installing a smart meter. Smart meters can provide near real-time information about your energy consumption with the in-home display, helping you make more informed decisions about your energy usage.
What is the net zero target for the UK?
The UK has set a target to reach net zero by 2050, with Scotland aiming to hit that target earlier; by 2045. As a step on the way to that final goal, the UK also aims to reach a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
So, what does net zero mean for the UK? Some of the actions being taken to reduce emissions include:
- Banning the sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, as these cars produce emissions whenever they’re driven. In 2022, the government introduced regulations supporting the installation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with funding for local authorities in England. There is also expected to be more non-government-funded charging infrastructure installed across the UK, for both domestic and business purposes.
- Investing in clean, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
- Installing electric heat pumps in buildings, potentially reducing heating emissions by up to 70% compared to gas boilers.
- Mandating the use of sustainable aviation fuel which must make up 2% of all jet fuel in flights departing from the UK from 2025, and increasing over time.
Is the UK on track to meet net zero targets?
The UK’s efforts to reduce emissions are already making a real, measurable difference. According to a 2024 report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK’s emissions have fallen by more than half from 1990 levels, mainly due to the shift to more renewable energy sources.
Smart meters can support the increased use of renewable energy by allowing users to participate in time-of-use tariffs and flexibility schemes.
These schemes can encourage households to shift their energy usage away from peak times, such as when everyone is cooking dinner, and move demand to when there’s more renewable energy, such as wind, to help balance supply and demand across the nation's energy system.
Continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure such as heat pumps and wind farms, along with efforts like tree planting and the adoption of electric cars, could also help the UK meet its net zero target.
What does net zero mean for me as an individual?
Net zero is a huge goal, and it can only be achieved through the collaboration of government, industry, investors, researchers and the general population. In other words, reaching net zero is a group effort; it’s not something any one person can do by themselves.
If you’d like to help by reducing your own home emissions, look at our energy efficiency tips.
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