Assessing how far a ‘Net Zero’ strategy moves an organisation towards ‘Nature Positive’ contributions

Charlotte Maddinson, Talitha Bromwich, Thomas B White, Chris Cox, Joseph W Bull

‘Net Zero’ and ‘Nature Positive’ frameworks can guide organisations to contribute towards climate and biodiversity goals, but are often implemented separately. It remains unclear whether achieving Net Zero strategies can aid progress towards Nature Positive goals. We apply footprinting methods to a case study (Wadham College, Oxford) to quantitatively assess whether an organisational Net Zero strategy – focusing on GHG emission reductions – could deliver biodiversity co-benefits. We find the college’s 2035 Net Zero strategy alone could reduce its biodiversity impacts from utilities, built environment, and direct land use by approximately 67%. However, we find (i) Net Zero initiatives have variable embodied biodiversity impacts, (ii) achieving both Net Zero and Nature Positive goals requires extensive compensation of residual impacts, and iii) the scope of Net Zero strategies often omits activities relevant for biodiversity. Our study implies pathways exist for achieving carbon and biodiversity objectives together, provided careful and quantitative coordination between strategies.