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
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The United States belongs to the ICAO and had agreed to participate in the UN agency's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
—Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
But as the top historical emitter of greenhouse gases, the U.S. should be among the countries setting an example for the rest of the world to decarbonize while helping smaller, poorer countries achieve net-zero goals as well, according to the United Nations.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
So even if low emissions energy technologies continue to advance, the main contributors to climate change could gain ground as well, slowing the shift to a net-zero economy.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
Granted, these are baby steps toward Air New Zealand's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
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Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
But as the top historical emitter of greenhouse gases, the U.S. should be among the countries setting an example for the rest of the world to decarbonize while helping smaller, poorer countries achieve net-zero goals as well, according to the United Nations.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
So even if low emissions energy technologies continue to advance, the main contributors to climate change could gain ground as well, slowing the shift to a net-zero economy.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
Granted, these are baby steps toward Air New Zealand's goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 2025.
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