Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“LexisLibrary gives us the most relevant and recent cases and always has the latest information on them. It makes research so much easier. We're more cost-effective for our clients and more efficient each day”

Advocates

Access all documents on Net Zero

Net Zero meaning

What does Net Zero mean?
In legal practice, Net Zero describes the point at which, for a defined period (commonly each calendar year) and by an agreed target date (often 2050), an organisation’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are balanced by the permanent removal of an equivalent amount, after first achieving deep absolute reductions across Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions in line with the paris agreement goals. Net Zero is a widely used descriptive term rather than a single statutory definition. Economy-wide targets exist: the UK Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended) sets a 2050 net UK emissions target (Scotland’s target date is 2045 under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (as amended)); Northern Ireland’s Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets 2050; Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits to climate neutrality by 2050. Usage is broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Typical legal features in contracts, finance and disclosures include: clear boundaries (entity/group/value chain), baseline year, reduction trajectory, treatment of residual emissions, and quality criteria for removals/offsets (additionality, permanence, no double counting). Independent expert verification and annual measurement/reporting are common. Avoided emissions do not count towards Net Zero; any offsets are limited to...
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related Flowcharts about Net Zero

FLOWCHARTS
Consumer goods: cancellation rights, exclusions and refund/return obligations under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (UK) for distance, off-premises and on-premises sales—Flowchart

The EU has adopted ambitious goals to curb its greenhouse gas emissions steadily up to and beyond 2030, ultimately seeking to fully attain net zero emissions by the year 2050...

Read More Right Arrow
FLOWCHARTS
EU decarbonisation roadmap: flowchart mapping climate legislation, policy packages and strategies towards 55% by 2030 and net zero by 2050

The primary provisions that govern the proper court for bringing an application under CPR 23 are set out and contained within CPR 23.2, CPR PD 23A, para 5.1, and CPR PD 2C, para 5.1–CPR PD 2C, para 5.3...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related News about Net Zero

NEWS
EU competition law: Phase I merger clearances and Ukraine‑related State aid approvals (Italy net‑zero equipment; France organic farming) — 8 February 2024

Mergers The Commission approved: the purchase of exclusive control of VOLTERRA S.A. by MYTILINEOS S.A (M.11395) following a phase I review—see also Midday Express the purchase of joint control of Auberge Resorts LLC by MSD Hospitality Partners L.P....

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
UK and EU environmental law weekly: consultations, policy and case updates across climate, hydrogen, buildings, enforcement, nuclear, ESG, chemicals (PFAS), biodiversity, waste and water—9 October 2025

In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Contamination and pollution Energy efficiency and buildings Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental information Environmental taxes, reliefs and incentives ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Water, flooding and drainage Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Air emissions and climate change Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR)-UK government publishes Business Model documentation On 27 August 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) released a suite of papers on its proposed Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR) Business Model and accompanying policy. The Lexis+ Energy team, working with Navraj Singh Ghaleigh, Senior Lecturer in Climate Law at the University of Edinburgh Law School, set out the context for the GGR Business Model; its relationship with the Power BECCS Business Model; the technologies the GGR framework intends to encompass; its legal footing and principal features; and how...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
UK and EU environmental law weekly update: emissions trading, energy and nuclear, ESG reporting, UK REACH, waste and producer responsibility, biodiversity, marine, water and litigation—26 February 2026

In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental disputes and proceedings Environmental permits and consents Environmental taxes, reliefs and incentives ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Marine Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste Waste producer responsibility regimes Water, flooding and drainage Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Air emissions and climate change DESNZ releases quarterly waste data reporting template for the UK ETS. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has issued a template for quarterly waste data submissions under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). It is designed for waste operators to use when sending quarterly data reports to their regulator during the voluntary monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) period. See: LNB News 19/02/2026 50. AFME responds to European Commission consultation on climate resilience legislative framework. The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has provided...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Net Zero

PRACTICE NOTES
UKCS offshore petroleum licensing regime: NSTA powers, licence types, application and transfer procedures, levies, environmental assessments and net zero reforms

Oil & Gas—UKCS licensing regime Regulatory body Up to 2016, oversight of the UK’s oil and gas resources chiefly sat with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), acting for the Secretary of State. Following Sir Ian Wood’s review of UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) oil and gas recovery (the Wood Review), government created an independent regulator—now the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)—to assume DECC’s licensing and regulatory duties in respect of all oil and gas exploration and production activities on the UKCS. This restructuring transferred responsibility for those matters from DECC to the new body. Until 21 March 2022 the NSTA operated under the name Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), which remains the company’s formal legal name and continues to appear in some legislation. The NSTA began taking on these roles from DECC on 1 April 2015, at first as an executive agency within DECC. The Energy Act 2016 subsequently established the NSTA as a fully independent regulator, constituted as an independent Government company, and amended the...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
UK CCUS Regulatory Framework: Storage Licences and Permits, Ofgem Transport and Storage Economic Licences, Environmental Permitting and Post-closure Duties

For comprehensive analysis of the regulation, consenting and incentivisation of the net zero energy transition under the laws of England and Wales, see also: Collinson and Hockman on Energy Law: Regulating, Consenting and Incentivising the Energy Transition. That textbook offers an in-depth exploration of matters addressed in this Practice Note. What is carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS)? The term CCUS is sometimes described as ‘carbon capture and storage’ (CCS); broadly, CCS represents a narrower subset within the same sector. CCS describes a range of processes that capture and store CO 2 emissions from industrial activities...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
England and Wales 2024 climate, energy and emissions—legislation and consultations tracker (Archived)

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is no longer maintained. This tracker tool collates and outlines significant recent and forthcoming legislation in England and Wales, alongside consultations connected to climate action and emissions reduction goals. Under the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA 2008), as amended by the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 SI 2019/1056, the UK is legally bound to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 100% from 1990 levels—achieving net zero—by 2050. There are also interim milestones: a 68% cut in GHG emissions from 1990 levels by 2030—set through the UK’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement (this excludes emissions from international aviation and shipping) a 78% cut in GHG emissions from 1990 levels by 2035—established via the UK’s sixth carbon budget These targets have spurred swift changes across recent energy and environmental policy and law. Retained EU law (REUL) refers to EU-derived rights and legislation...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Precedents about Net Zero

PRECEDENTS
Insurance Condition Precedent: Net Zero Transition Plan for Climate-Related Liability Cover (Commercial Insureds)

Condition to Liability Cover for Climate-Related Claims This clause sets a precondition for insurance cover, compelling the insured to establish a rigorous net-zero transition plan before cover incepts for climate-related liability claims. A commercial policyholder must have such a robust plan (including emissions reduction targets) in place at policy inception, as a prerequisite to accessing liability insurance for climate-related claims. The objective is to encourage good behaviour, place the insured on a pathway towards net zero, and lower the likelihood of climate-related claims being brought against the insured, thereby supporting the insurer’s sustainable business. In short, it promotes better conduct, aligns strategy with net-zero goals and mitigates exposure to climate-related liabilities. The clause was created by The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) under the title ‘Condition to Liability Cover for Climate-Related Claims’ and is referenced on TCLP’s website below. For detailed guidance on liability cover for climate-related claims, please consult the clause issued by TCLP. TCLP is the code name for the focused and collaborative effort of lawyers from around...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Precedent schedule for consumer goods manufacturing contracts: target product carbon footprint budgets with year-on-year reductions, aligned with the Paris Agreement (Ming's Clause, The Chancery Lane Project)

Precedent Target product carbon footprint clause—schedule for consumer goods contracts Use this schedule within a manufacturing contract for the supply of consumer goods to oblige the parties to adopt a target product carbon footprint budget—one that diminishes over time—for each product manufactured and supplied pursuant to the contract. The clause is consistent with the Paris Agreement objectives, the Race to Zero criteria, and the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting as stated. This sustainability wording was created by The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) as ‘Ming’s clause’ and is accessible via TCLP’s website below, where the linked text appears for reference. For comprehensive and relevant guidance on target product carbon footprint budgets, please consult the TCLP clause for direction as needed. TCLP is the codename for a focused, collaborative initiative of lawyers from around the world to craft new contracts and model legislation to tackle climate change. For further details, visit: chancerylaneproject.org. Lexis+® is proud to support the work of TCLP...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Model Green Supplier Agreement Clause for Value Chain Emissions and Net Zero Alignment (TCLP – Zoë and Bea’s Clause)

The green supplier agreement terms clause is intended for inclusion within standard supplier agreements and contains green procurement provisions, ensuring a standard supplier agreement concentrates on emissions across a value chain...

Read More Right Arrow