Definition
Net Zero — Reducing emissions by ~90% then offsetting only the unavoidable residual.
Net zero is a stricter standard than carbon neutral: the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requires a company to cut absolute emissions by at least 90% across all scopes by its target year before offsetting the small residual.
In practice this means net zero is about transformation (electrifying, redesigning supply chains, switching to renewables) — not about buying credits. A "net zero" claim resting on heavy offsetting is not credible under the SBTi standard.
Reducing emissions by ~90% then offsetting only the unavoidable residual.
This term is not, by itself, proof of a certified product. Its meaning may depend on a technical definition, local rules or the boundaries of a particular claim.
Separate the question the term addresses from questions it does not answer. Material sourcing, labour conditions, chemical safety and disposal need different evidence. Catalogue labels are a starting point for checking that evidence, not a substitute for it.
| Check | Action | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Ask what the term means in this claim | Technical concepts and marketing promises are different |
| Boundary | Identify materials, locations and stages covered | A claim about one component cannot describe the whole lifecycle |
| Evidence | Request methods, assumptions and dated supporting documents | A claim can need evidence without having a dedicated certifier |
Reducing emissions by ~90% then offsetting only the unavoidable residual.
Ask what the term means in this claim. Identify materials, locations and stages covered. Request methods, assumptions and dated supporting documents.