Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Net Zero emissions refer to a state where anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an entity (organization / industry / government) over a period of one year is compensated by GHG removals through anthropogenic interventions over the same period of time.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), greenhouse gases are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of radiation emitted by the Earth’s ocean and land surface, by the atmosphere itself and by clouds. Key GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Nitrogen trifluride(NF3).
Global Warming Potential (GWP) measures how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere compared to the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a specified time horizon, usually 100 years.
For example, as per IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, methane (CH4) has a GWP of 28, and nitrous oxide (N2O) has a GWP of 265 for 100 years.
Entities that have declared Net Zero commitments are encouraged to register. These include Private Sector, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Government Department / Agency, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Academic / Research Institutions and Trust / Society / Association.
Reporting on the Net Zero portal is voluntary. However, entities are encouraged to participate to gain recognition, build credibility, visibility, engage stakeholders, and benchmark progress towards their net zero goal.
1. Registration - Contact information and basic details of the entity.
2. After Login - Details of profile, Net Zero Commitment, Scope covered & strategy and annual progress.
Following one-time registration, entity is expected to submit annual progress updates.
A downloadable, step-by-step user guide is available to assist entities throughout the registration and reporting process.
While not mandatory, entities are strongly encouraged to report Scope 1 & 2 emissions. Reporting Scope 3 emissions is desirable.
Entities can set their own realistic Net Zero target years based on sector-specific challenges and feasibility.
Entities can enhance credibility by:
Recommended standards include:
Entities can benchmark by:
Common KPIs include:
Yes, incentives include:
India’s Net Zero target for 2070 is aligned with its international obligations through:
BEE provides:
Best practices for the manufacturing sector include:
These practices not only lower emissions but also enhance operational efficiency and compliance with emerging climate regulations.
The IT sector can:
SMEs can:
1. What is an entity?
For the purpose of the Net Zero Portal, an “entity” refers to any company, organization, institution, government department, statutory body, authority, or any other legal or administrative unit that undertakes operations or activities and is eligible to register on the portal.
2. What is "Type of Legal Entity / Organization"?
The legal structure under which the entity operates. For e.g., Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, LLP (Limited Liability Partnership), Partnership, Trust.
3. What is CIN?
CIN (Corporate Identification Number) is issued by the Registrar of Companies in India. It serves as a legal identifier to ensure legitimacy, compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., MCA), transparency, and fraud prevention by tracking corporate activities and financial filings.
Two cases are:
Case 1: If the entity confirms that a CIN is available, the CIN number must be provided. In this case, no additional identification details are required.
Case 2: If the entity confirms that a CIN is unavailable, the user can enter the PAN number. If the PAN number is unavailable, the user must provide an alternative identification by selecting an Other Identification Type and entering the corresponding Identification Number.
Below are the options for Other Identification Type:
4. Is your Net Zero target applicable to the whole group / individual company/subsidiary?
Case 1: If “Group” is selected, the Net Zero commitment is considered to apply to the entire group, covering all associated entities. No further details are required in this case.
Case 2: If “Individual Company / Subsidiary” is selected, the Net Zero commitment applies only to an individual vertical or unit. In this case, users must provide the legal name of the relevant entity in a required field.
5. What is the objective of capturing Contact Details?
The Contact Details section is intended to capture the entity's authorized contact and authentication information for system access, official communication, regulatory correspondence, and ongoing engagement.
6. Who should be specified as the Contact Person?
The Contact Person should be an authorized representative of the entity responsible for submissions, compliance, and official communications. This may include a sustainability officer, compliance officer, or any individual duly authorized by the entity.
7. Which Email address should be provided?
The Email address serves as the primary identifier and communication channel, including for login credentials, system notifications, and official correspondence. The email provided must be valid and regularly monitored.
8. What are the requirements for setting a Password?
The Password must be created in accordance with system defined security requirements. The Confirm Password field must match the Password exactly to ensure accuracy and secure account creation.
Password Policy:
9. Which Mobile Number should be provided?
The Mobile Number provided should be valid and functional as it will be required for mandatory verification, security, and communication purposes, including alerts, notifications, and account recovery where applicable.
10. Is it mandatory to provide a Landline Number?
No. The Landline Number is optional and may be provided if available.
11. What information should be provided in the Entity Correspondence Address?
The Entity Correspondence Address should be the official address at which the entity can receive formal communications or correspondence.
12. Can Contact Details be modified at a later stage?
Yes. Subject to applicable system controls and authorization, contact details may be updated at a later stage through designated profile or administrative functions.
1. What does “Sector” refer to, and how do I select the business activity?
This refers to the type of sector in which your company operates. Please select the most appropriate sector from the dropdown list. Based on the sector selected, choose the corresponding business activity from the dropdown list.
1. What is the “Declaration Year”?
The Declaration Year is the year in which your organization formally commits to achieving Net Zero emissions (e.g., Declared XXX company in the year 2021).
2. What is “Net Zero Target Year”?
This is the year by which your organization aims to achieve Net Zero emissions. You can select any year up to 2070.
3. What are “Intermittent Targets”?
Intermittent (or interim) targets are short- or medium-term milestones set before the final Net Zero year to track progress. (e.g., A company has an intermittent target of 40% by 2030, 60% by 2040, and Net-zero by 2050)
4. What should be entered under “Year of Intermittent Targets”?
Provide the year by which you aim to achieve the interim milestone, if any (e.g., 2030, 2040). Multiple intermittent targets can be selected.
5. What does “Proposed Target (%)” mean?
This refers to the percentage reduction in emissions you plan to achieve by the interim target year compared to the baseline.
6. What does “Registered on other platforms” mean?
Specify whether your organization has already registered its climate commitments on platforms such as SBTi, UNFCCC, or others.
7. Can I select multiple platforms?
Yes. You may select all applicable platforms where your organization is registered.
1. What is a “Baseline Year”?
The baseline year is the reference year against which your emission reductions will be measured.
2. What should be entered in “Baseline Year Type”?
Select the format your organization uses for reporting emissions. This field is to provide the option of both financial year and calendar year reporting. Ensure consistency across all entries.
3. What is Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions?
• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned/controlled sources
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy
• Scope 3: Other indirect emissions across the value chain
4. What should I include under “Details of Activities Included”?
Briefly describe emission sources covered under each scope in your business activities.
5. How is “Total Emissions” calculated?
This is auto-calculated based on the emissions entered for Scope 1, 2, and 3.
6. What methodology should I select?
Choose the standard used to calculate emissions (e.g., GHG Protocol, ISO 14064-1). Select “Others” only if none of the listed options apply.
7. Is verification mandatory?
Verification is not mandatory, but is encouraged to improve credibility. You can select internal or external/third-party verification.
8. What should I provide under “Source of Information”?
Provide a link to reports or documents (e.g., sustainability report, disclosures) supporting your emission data.
1. What should be included under “Mitigation”?
Provide details of planned actions or activities to reduce emissions in the organization, such as:
• Clean energy adoption
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Green buildings
• Sustainable mobility
• Resource efficiency
2. What does “Mitigation Potential” mean in this section?
This refers to the amount of emissions expected to be reduced by each strategy (in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent).
3. What is meant by “Activities Proposed”?
Provide a brief and clear description of the activities to indicate how it will contribute to mitigation (e.g., solar installation, EV transition, process optimization).
4. What to include under “Others”?
If any additional mitigation strategies are not covered in the listed categories, you can select others and specify the details.
5. What are “Carbon Credit Mechanisms”?
These are market-based instruments in which organizations intend to offset emissions by purchasing or generating carbon credits.
6. What are “Other Offset Measures”?
These include activities such as afforestation, carbon capture, or other removal initiatives not covered under carbon credits.
7. Should offsets replace emission reductions?
Offsets should complement, not replace, direct emission reduction efforts.
8. What is meant by “mitigation measures”?
In climate policy, mitigation measures are technologies, processes or practices that contribute to mitigation, for example, renewable energy technologies, waste minimisation processes, and public transport commuting practices (as per IPCC AR6 WG III).
9. What is meant by “offset (in climate policy)”?
The reduction, avoidance or removal of a unit of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by one entity, purchased by another entity to counterbalance a unit of GHG emissions by that other entity. Offsets are commonly subject to rules and environmental integrity criteria intended to ensure that offsets achieve their stated mitigation outcome. Relevant criteria include, but are not limited to, the avoidance of double counting and leakage, use of appropriate baselines, additionality, and permanence or measures to address impermanence (as per IPCC AR6 WG III).
1. What is the “Year of Reporting”?
This is the year for which you are reporting your mitigation and progress.
2. What should be reported under “Absolute Emissions Reduction” in Progress?
Provide actual emissions for Scope 1, 2, and 3 for the reporting year, along with key actions undertaken.
3. What kind of information can be added under “Any Other Information”?
You may include additional context such as challenges, assumptions, future plans, or clarifications.
4. Can I update the information after submission?
Yes, however, users are advised to review entries carefully before final submission.
5. What to upload as a supporting document?
This is an optional field. If you have any supporting documents, you may upload them in PDF format here.
