Net Zero Regulation and Policy Hub launched

A project involving Oxford and international researchers has initiated progress by undergoing operations to build a centre of expertise dedicated to studying and aiding the formation of global economic regulations in alignment with climate objectives.

The Net Zero Regulation and Policy Hub seek to fill the immense ‘implementation gap’ between the net zero targets set by governments and companies, and the best practice policies needed to deliver them. Using regulatory frameworks aimed at achieving net zero targets, the Hub will provide reliable tracked data that will be analysed to help contribute towards generating best practices in policies. It will provide an open-access data treasury of regulations that can be used to support countries achieve their net-zero targets. It will also be equipped with tools to help further understand how each regulation compares to the international standards and best practices for achieving net-zero emissions. The Hub aims to act as an essential tool in understanding the difference between good and bad practices, highlighting inconsistencies that could halt the global effort.

At the start of 2024, policymakers, civil society organisations, law firms, academics, and networks involved in climate change discussions, standard setting, and the implementation of policies met to launch the Hub. In the months ahead, the Hub will release its first publications and plans to launch the open-access data bank of regulations later this year. The Net Zero Regulation and Policy Hub is a collaboration between the Blavatnik School of Government under the leadership of Professor Tom Hale and the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme led by Dr Thom Wetzer, with support from the Oxford Martin School, Oxford Net Zero, and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.