Net Zero Carbon: Conceptual Framework and Assessment Approaches

The concept of Net Zero Carbon and carbon neutrality has emerged as a central pillar in global climate mitigation strategies, aiming to balance anthropogenic Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions with removals within defined system boundaries. Despite widespread adoption of net zero targets across sectors, inconsistencies in definitions, accounting boundaries, and assessment methodologies continue to pose significant challenges for transparent and comparable evaluations. This presentation provides a concise overview of the conceptual foundations of carbon neutrality and net zero carbon, highlighting their evolution from early standards.