Net Zero World Initiative

The United States, partner countries, and philanthropies are joining forces to accelerate the transition to clean, secure energy systems and build a Net Zero World.

Array of solar panels with wind turbines in the background and text overlayed that reads: Net Zero World Initiative Accelerating Global Energy System Decarbonization.

The Net Zero World Initiative leverages expertise across U.S. government agencies and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, including NREL, for a whole-of-government approach focused on advancing the decarbonization of global energy systems for our partners.

The program supports countries committed to raising their climate ambitions through the development of tailored strategies addressing technical clean energy pathways and deployment and investment opportunities that keep net-zero within reach.

"The U.S. is committed to working with countries all over the globe to accelerate clean climate goals from ambition to action, and the Net Zero World Initiative is the latest example of our dedication. With Net Zero World, our partnering nations will harness the power and expertise of the national laboratories, federal agencies, think tanks, businesses, and universities, to develop tangible clean energy projects that meet their energy needs."

—Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Jennifer M. Granholm

What We Do


Deliver holistic support for immediate and sustainable transformative projects that maximize the initiative's on-the-ground impacts.

Foster peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

Ensure a just transition.

Five priority focus areas that include: targeted action plans, modeling and analysis, transformative policies and projects, investment mobilization, capacity building and peer learning.

By joining the Net Zero World Initiative, partners have access to:

  • Tailored energy modeling and analysis collaboration to inform country-driven net-zero pathways and technical and investment plans
  • World-class technical support for transformative implementation and just energy transition actions
  • Investment mobilization assistance at all stages by:
    • Feeding into financial planning: conducting detailed studies to comprehend the costs, benefits, and risks of carbon emission reduction plans in energy systems
    • Leveraging financial tools: Developing or improving financial instruments (like revolving loan funds), fiscal policies (such as tax rebates), and other mechanisms to generate capital for clean energy technology
    • De-risking projects: Providing technical support for initial assessments, detailed studies, and design plans to reduce financial risks in clean energy projects.

Results and Impacts

Partner countries have the technical solutions, knowledge, support, financing, and confidence to rapidly transition to clean, secure, and equitable energy systems globally.

Key Impacts

  • Increased clean energy deployment and transitions
  • Enhanced local capacity for decision-making and implementation
  • Accelerated decarbonization pathways that reflect local priorities
  • Bolstered investment in clean energy technologies
  • Demonstrated results and pioneering actions that are replicated and inspire neighboring countries
  • Partner countries serve as regional leaders for high ambition and reap economic, environmental, and social rewards.
icons representing Bui;dings, Industry, transportation, Power and Energy Storage, Carbon Capture Use and Storage, Investment Services, Energy Systems, and Nuclear.

Climate Smart Women Energy Leader's Program

The Net Zero World Initiative is excited to announce the second cohort of the Climate Smart Women’s Energy Leadership program. This program offers women energy leaders a transformative opportunity to drive sustainable change in their communities and join like-minded leaders committed to advancing clean energy and sustainability. Participants can immerse themselves in a 2-week training workshop in U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, gaining hands-on experience while fostering collaboration and innovation.

Group of women stand inside for photo

Net Zero World Partners

To date, these countries and philanthropies have joined a broad team of U.S. government agencies and U.S. DOE national laboratories in the Net Zero World Initiative.

Argentina

Chile

Egypt

Indonesia

Nigeria

Singapore

Thailand

Ukraine

Breakthrough Energy

Lynne and Marc Benioff

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet

Rockefeller Foundation

Argonne National Laboratory

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Idaho National Laboratory

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

National Energy Technology Laboratory

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Sandia National Laboratories

The Export Import Bank of the U.S.

The Millennium Challenge Corp.

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Agency for International Development

U.S. Department of the Treasury

U.S. Trade and Development Agency

U.S. International Development Finance Corp.

Philanthropic Partners

Vital collaboration with our philanthropic partners helps to accelerate net-zero energy transitions globally by:

  • Enabling acceleration of pioneering, high-impact decarbonization actions and investment mobilization that will achieve large-scale emission reductions in partner countries and serve as confidence-building models for replication by others.
  • Ensuring a global, sustained approach to providing regional leaders with deep technical and capacity-building support to inform viable decarbonization pathways for affordable clean energy deployment at scale.
  • Expanding the breadth of country impact by supporting regional and global collaborations and learning and replication on common energy transition transformative actions.
  • Identifying opportunities for in-depth work in additional key countries.
  • Providing a platform for collaborating with other philanthropic efforts to ensure greater shared impact and alignment.

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