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

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

Another affordable, net-zero house is under construction in North Minneapolis, and a third is in development at the school.

—John Cary

Examples of net-zero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many countries and major companies have net-zero targets for 2050 or beyond. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Details for the vision are laid out in a draft Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan, building off the city’s Sustainability Action Plan, a 2023 guiding document for reaching net-zero emissions by 2045. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Burbank is soon to follow, supporting Amazon's Climate Pledge, a goal to be net-zero carbon by 2040. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

These systematic engineering developments reflect China’s strategy to expand its third-generation nuclear fleet, supporting baseline energy security while working toward a peak in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for net-zero

• subzero
• biro
• spiro
• zero
• superhero