net-zero
adjective
net-ze·ro
ˈnet-ˈzē-(ˌ)rō 
-ˈzir-(ˌ)ō
: resulting in neither a surplus nor a deficit of something specified when gains and losses are added together
net-zero carbon emissions
The General Services Administration has sealed an unusual deal to guarantee achievement of net-zero energy consumption in a federal facility …—
Charles S. Clark
Charles S. Clark
especially, of buildings
: producing enough energy (as through solar panels or passive heating) to offset any energy consumed
By 2020 all new homes built in California will have to be net-zero buildings that produce enough power to offset all their energy needs … —K. Kaufmann
K. Kaufmann Another affordable, net-zero house is under construction in North Minneapolis, and a third is in development at the school. —John Cary
John Cary Examples of net-zero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, Wells Fargo dropped its goal for the companies the bank finances to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, saying the conditions necessary for meeting that goal, such as policy certainty, consumer behavior and the pace of clean technology development, hadn’t fully materialized.
—Lily Hsueh, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025
Despite Patagonia’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2025, the Worn Wear purveyor’s carbon emissions, by its own admission, continue to rise.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead, the fund has shifted its investment within the fossil fuel industry from companies that don’t consider climate risks, to those companies that do have a net-zero plan.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
During the Biden administration, the IEA predicted that global oil demand would peak this decade and said there should be an end to investment in new oil, gas and coal projects if the world wanted to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
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Lily Hsueh, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025
Despite Patagonia’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2025, the Worn Wear purveyor’s carbon emissions, by its own admission, continue to rise.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead, the fund has shifted its investment within the fossil fuel industry from companies that don’t consider climate risks, to those companies that do have a net-zero plan.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
During the Biden administration, the IEA predicted that global oil demand would peak this decade and said there should be an end to investment in new oil, gas and coal projects if the world wanted to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.
—Reuters 16 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for net-zero
Cite this Entry
“Net-zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/net-zero. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
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