Systems thinking for net zero
This OECD project supports governments in taking a systems and mission approach to the design and implementation of net-zero strategies. In practice, this means helping countries create the conditions for cross‑sectoral collaboration and design policy packages that can drive transformative change.
What we do
We support governments in taking a systems and mission approach to the design and implementation of net-zero strategies.
We help countries, regions and cities:
1. Identify climate policies with transformative potential, able to reduce emissions while improving well-being.
2. Develop internal capacity to put systems and mission-oriented approaches in practice.
Most of our work is carried out via participatory case studies in collaboration with governments at the country, regional and city levels.
Since 2025, we are part of the OECD Mission Action Lab, a cross-directorate initiative directly working with policymakers to establish and operationalise missions in real world contexts.
Our approach
Drawing on systems thinking, we have developed a process to design transformative net-zero strategies that work for people and the planet, through three steps:
1. Envision the goal(s) and the patterns of behaviours that a properly functioning system would foster, and challenge ingrained mental models underlying poorly functioning systems;
2. Understand why the current system is not achieving envisioned goals and patterns of behaviour and whether implemented and planned policies have the potential to redesign the system;
3. Redesign systems to foster desirable patterns of behaviour and goals by prioritising transformative policy packages and processes.
Recent projects
Recent projects include the identification of transformative policies in Ireland and Catalonia, as well as the implementation of a mission approach in Dublin in the context of the city’s Climate Action Plan.
Dublin
The OECD supported Dublin City Council in implementing the city’s Climate Action Plan by building staff capacity to adopt a systems and mission‑oriented approach. Guided by the three steps of the OECD Systems Innovation for Net Zero process, the project also helped city officials identify transformative policies to redesign the mobility system and address the root causes of existing challenges.
Catalonia
The passenger transport system is the highest-emitting sector in the Spanish region of Catalonia and has proven challenging to decarbonise despite longstanding policy commitments. The OECD supported Catalonia in the identification of transformative policy packages with the capacity to trigger behavioural change in favour of sustainable modes, to reduce emissions and increase well-being simultaneously.
Ireland
Mobility patterns in Ireland are incompatible with the country’s target to halve emissions in the transport sector by 2030. Transformative change to move towards more sustainable modes and reduce travel is needed. To further reduce emissions in the transport sector, the OECD supported Ireland by assessing the transformative potential of their climate policies.
What a systems approach can achieve
Watch these short video interviews with workshop participants sharing their experience of applying a systems approach:
Dublin
Catalonia
Ireland
Explore all our videos
Watch our videos to see how the Systems innovation for net zero process helps create climate strategies that work for people and the planet.
Related resources and events
- Webinar: How to build public support for climate policies using science-based communication | 5 February 2026
- Webinar: Beyond silos: return on experience session with the City of Dublin | 15 April 2025
- Blog: Transformative change: from parts to systems | 5 April 2024
- L'approche systémique appliquée : étude de cas sur l'Irlande | Mars 2023
- Replay: Transport strategies for net-zero systems by design: Launch event | November 2021
- Video recording: 15’ cities for better lives | August 2021
- Video recording: Transport strategies for net-zero systems by design | April 2021
Questions? Reach out to us
Contact Elisa Lanzi (Team Leader) and Mariana Mirabile (Economist) from the Climate Change Mitigation team.