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From research to regulation

Designing credible and durable climate policy in
a new era

Explore our work

Carbon Balance Initiative is an independent, research-led climate policy think tank founded at the University of Oxford.

We work to embed credible, evidence-based research into regulation and policy, helping governments design frameworks that are durable, realistic, and aligned with geological net zero.

From research to regulation.

From research to regulation.

We combine academic rigour with policy judgement, translating complex and evolving scientific understandings into policy-relevant insights that can inform real-world decisions.

Our key values

Cross-sector
collaboration is power

Tackling the climate crisis demands more than solo action. We collaborate across science, civil society, policy, and industry, not just to be heard, but to change the rules.

Agility in an
uncertain world

We move fast and think forward. As a lean organisation with a start-up mindset, we embrace complexity and act when windows open, with speed, clarity, and courage.

Accountability
beats optimism

Hope alone won’t get us to net zero. We push for enforceable rules and realistic timelines, grounded in evidence and policy tools that hold polluters responsible.

Science and research
at the core

Our work is rooted in world-class research. Through close collaboration with top institutions, we develop bold but practical solutions grounded in science.

Featured Publications

Publications
Beyond the Pledge: Geological Carbon Storage in NDC 3.0 and the Limits of Tracking International Pledges
Beyond the Pledge: Geological Carbon Storage in NDC 3.0 and the Limits of Tracking International Pledges

A briefing assessing the role of geological carbon storage in NDC 3.0, complemented with reflections on the limits of tracking international pledges.

One Region, Many Transitions - CBAM and Carbon Pricing in the Western Balkans
One Region, Many Transitions - CBAM and Carbon Pricing in the Western Balkans

A report assessing how Western Balkan countries can use carbon pricing to respond to EU CBAM, protect competitiveness, and align their economies with future European carbon markets.

Who Should Pay for Carbon Removal in the UK?
Who Should Pay for Carbon Removal in the UK?

A Carbon Balance and COâ‚‚RE evidence briefing, with the first UK national survey on CDR policy preferences. Evidence suggests strong support for regulation and producer responsibility.

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Our strategic priorities

We have four strategic priorities guide our work across the UK, EU and international levels, helping us develop policy ideas that are rigorous, practical, and built for long-term impact.

  • We work to bring greater clarity to what geological net zero and overshoot mean for climate policy, and to support stronger thinking on their implications for long-term climate action.

  • We work to build momentum for more credible and coordinated approaches to fossil fuel transition, with a focus on the wider conditions needed for progress and implementation.

  • We work to advance more coherent and fit-for-purpose approaches to carbon management, understood within the broader context of climate policy, carbon markets, industrial change, and systems transformation.

  • We work to support climate policy that is more credible, durable, and resilient, particularly in the context of growing political complexity and legal challenge.

We work closely with our academic
and ecosystem partners

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