By Albin Axelsson – Founder & CEO, A Triple C Consulting Over the past few years, we've seen a surge in companies announcing their intent to be “Net Zero by 2050.” These declarations are often headline-grabbing and seen as a signal of climate leadership. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Having a Net Zero target does not automatically mean a company is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This distinction is not just academic. It has real-world implications for how we evaluate climate ambition, manage regulatory risks, and build credible ESG strategies. So, What’s the Difference? At first glance, Net Zero and Paris alignment might seem interchangeable. Both are concerned with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the underlying logic behind each concept is different: Net Zero is about reaching a point—typically by 2050—where a company’s remaining emissions are balanced by removals (e.g., carbon offsets). Paris alignment is about ensuring that a company’s emissions pathway