What are net zero missions and what is at stake?
Net zero missions are targeted policy initiatives that have emerged as ambitious and innovative ‘all-hands-on-deck’ policy tools to combat climate change, uniting governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society around shared objectives.
Over the past five years, these missions have introduced innovative frameworks for collaboration and resource mobilisation across sectoral, disciplinary and administrative siloes. Reaching net zero is essential to halt global warming, protect ecosystems, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come. However, the OECD’s latest analysis shows that without addressing key barriers, their transformative potential remains unfulfilled.
The net zero mission landscape
The OECD has identified about 150 missions in 21 countries and the European Union that contribute in different ways, with different scopes and forms to the reduction of GHG. The OECD's MOIP Online Toolkit provides additional details on the objectives, governance and implementation of MOIPs.
The three barriers holding back net zero missions
The OECD’s analysis of 101 missions and 17 in-depth case studies highlights both the achievements and limitations of net zero missions. These insights underpin actionable recommendations to address the obstacles and elevate missions to their next stage of impact:
The “STI Trap” over-reliance on technology: While technological innovation is essential to meeting net zero targets, missions are overly focused on science, technology, and innovation (STI), while overlooking essential dimensions such as behavioural change, social innovation, and the scaling up of proven solutions. This narrow approach limits their ability to drive the systemic changes needed to meet ambitious climate targets.
The “Orientation Trap” disconnect between strategy and implementation: While missions provide strategic direction, they often struggle to translate these ambitions into tangible policy influence and implementation. Without stronger integration into national climate strategies and clearer pathways to action, missions risk losing their connection to real-world impact.
The “Policy Trap” funding limitations and private sector engagement: Missions rely heavily on public funding but fail to leverage sufficient private sector investment and partnerships. Public funding alone cannot sustain net zero missions and, without innovative financing models, missions face significant challenges in scaling and maintaining momentum.
Four ways to unlock the full potential of net zero missions
The stakes could not be clearer. Achieving net zero is one of the most complex and urgent challenges of our time. To unlock the full potential of net zero missions, policymakers must take bold action:
Expand beyond technology: Broaden the scope of missions to include behavioural and social dimensions, as well as community engagement and the scaling of transformative solutions. This holistic approach is essential to driving systemic change across sectors.
Embed missions in policymaking: Integrate missions more deeply into national climate policies, ensuring that strategic ambitions are translated into actionable frameworks that influence on-the-ground efforts and measurable outcomes.
Develop innovative financing models: Explore new financial mechanisms and attract private investment to supplement public funding. Strengthening partnerships with the private sector will help missions achieve greater scale and impact.
Break down silos: Foster collaboration across sectors and establish frameworks for experimentation, learning, and collective action. Effective collaboration is key to overcoming systemic barriers and driving progress.
The OECD’s role in driving change
The OECD remains committed to supporting these efforts through action-based research, policy guidance, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Consistent with the ‘mission spirit’, we have broken our own silos! To work, experiment and learn together, colleagues from across the house have created the Mission Action Lab to support mission design, implementation and evaluation.
Net zero missions have shown immense promise. By expanding their focus, embedding their strategies into policymaking, embracing innovative financing, and fostering collaboration, we can transform their promise into meaningful change.
