Dr. Kaya Axelsson

Biography

Kaya Axelsson is a Net Zero Policy Engagement Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. Her work focuses on climate governance and accelerating net-zero transitions. Her current research explores pathways for collective action, particularly the shift from voluntary to mandatory climate governance. Before pursuing her DPhil at the Smith School, Kaya earned a distinction for her master’s thesis on politically unlikely victories in renewable energy policy. Her contributions are rooted in extensive fieldwork and action research related to net-zero standards and voluntary initiatives. She has collaborated with companies, governments, international organizations, and academic institutions to develop actionable strategies that translate climate science into policy and practice. Among her significant contributions are her efforts with organizations like the International Organisation for Standardisation and the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net Zero. Additionally, Kaya is the author of the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting, aiming to guide the design and delivery of net-zero commitments. Her insights on net-zero governance are frequently featured in various media outlets, including Forbes, The Guardian, and BBC documentaries.

Research Interests