Axa XL is funding research funding at the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society in partnership with the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at the University of Oxford.
The 18-month project is aimed at understanding the private sector's approach to achieving net zero emissions in developing countries.

The project examines how private sector entities, including small and medium-sized enterprises, can contribute to net zero transitions in the emerging economies of India, Kenya and Mexico.

Focused specifically on the food and beverage, and construction and building sectors, the project will also explore criteria for responsible carbon offsetting, aiming to extract insights with broad applicability across developing countries and emerging economies.

Jessica Omukuti, research lead from Oxford Net Zero and InSIS, said: “Through Oxford Net Zero, our previous work has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of how the concept of net zero can be effectively implemented in developing countries. This funding partnership with Axa XL will enable us to gain greater insights on how the private sector is approaching the transition and in particular its focus on equity and justice for communities in these regions.”

Radhika Khosla, associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment added: “Our aim for the research is to identify ways in which the private sector can be supported to maximise the opportunities the net zero transition will create. The findings from the research will be shared with public and private sector representatives in the case study countries and their respective regions. It is expected that these findings will shed some light on the opportunities and challenges that the private sector is experiencing on its paths to net zero.”

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