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

“We rely on LexisNexis to give us a definitive answer, quickly and reliable every time so that we can be confident in the advice we use to help our clients.”

Shelter

Access all documents on Zero carbon

Zero carbon meaning

What does Zero carbon mean?
In legal practice, zero carbon describes a state in which an organisation, asset or activity is responsible for no carbon dioxide emissions across its defined boundary and scopes (Scopes 1 and 2 and, where applicable, Scope 3), achieved without using carbon offsets or credits. It is distinct from net zero, which allows limited residual emissions balanced by removals. There is no single statutory or case-law definition across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Ireland; the term is used descriptively in contracts, procurement documents, planning policies and conditions, finance covenants, ESG reporting and advertising claims. Key drafting and compliance points include specifying: the boundary (organisation, site, project or product), the gases covered (CO2 only or all greenhouse gases), the scopes included, baseline and target date, methodology (e.g. GHG Protocol, ISO 14064), metering and verification (independent assurance), exclusions, treatment of supply chain emissions, the prohibition or limited use of offsets, and remedies for non-compliance. Imprecise zero carbon claims risk greenwashing and enforcement under UK consumer protection and advertising law (CMA Green Claims Code; ASA/CAP) and Irish rules (ASAI; CCPC), and may constitute misrepresentation or breach of warranty. Sectoral policy (e.g. planning or building standards) may further address operational versus embodied carbon, but usage...
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 News about Zero carbon

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
Energy law weekly update, 9 May 2024: climate plan ruling, Ofgem LFCRP, Great Grid Partnership, CCS licensing round, fusion NPS, CO2 transport, EU gas CAM NC and EPBD

In this issue: Key developments and materials Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Networks and network connections Conventional power, waste to energy, biomass, and CHP projects Nuclear energy Air emissions, efficiency, and climate change International energy Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Key developments and materials Friends of the Earth has won a pivotal High Court judgment against the government, with the court ruling that the climate strategy advanced by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is unlawful. The court determined that adopting the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan contravened the Climate Change Act 2008. See: LNB News 03/05/2024 70. Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Ofgem has released its conclusions on the consultation regarding updates to the licence fee cost recovery principles (LFCRP) and issued the LFCRP for May 2024. After reviewing consultees’ submissions, Ofgem confirmed it...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Sustainable finance and ESG: June 2025 UK, EU and international regulatory consultations, disclosure reforms and sustainable bond market standards

UK developments DESNZ consults on implementing voluntary carbon and nature market integrity principles The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a consultation to gather feedback on how to put into practice the UK Government’s six principles for integrity in voluntary carbon and nature markets (VCNMs), assessing how they fit markets at varying stages of development. The Minister for Climate Change, Kerry McCarthy MP, unveiled these principles at COP29 in November 2024. It further seeks to define expectations for supplier and purchaser participation in VCNMs and to consider embedding such approaches within guidance, policy and possible regulation, underpinned by market frameworks that can institutionalise and scale high‑integrity practices. The call for views closes on 10 July 2025. See: LNB News 17/04/2025 13. Sources: Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity; UK backs businesses to trade carbon credits and unlock finance. EU developments EBA publishes ESG dashboard for centralised climate risk monitoring in the EU/EEA banking sector The European Banking Authority (EBA) has...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Zero carbon

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
PRACTICE NOTES
England and Wales 2023 climate, energy and emissions: legislation and consultations tracker (Archived)

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. This tracker brings together and summarises key new and upcoming legislation in England and Wales, alongside consultations related to climate action and emissions reduction objectives. Pursuant to 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 under a statutory duty to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 100% from 1990 levels—reaching net zero—by 2050. Further, the UK has the following interim targets: a 68% reduction in GHG emissions on 1990 levels by 2030—set via its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement (although the target does not include emissions from international aviation and shipping) a 78% reduction in GHG emissions on 1990 levels by 2035—set via the UK’s sixth carbon budget These targets have driven swift developments in recent energy and environmental policy and legislation. Retained EU law...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Precedents about Zero carbon

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