BAMRO

Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the world has seen an increasing number of net-zero commitments by non-State actors, in particular from the private and financial sectors, as well as from local government and regions. The growth in pledges has been accompanied by a proliferation of criteria and benchmarks to set net-zero commitments with varying levels of robustness.

To develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities – including businesses, investors, cities, and regions – and speed up their implementation, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on 31 March 2022 established a High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities.

“We must have zero tolerance for net-zero greenwashing,” said the Secretary-General at the launch of the Group’s report at the UN Climate Conference (COP27) at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 8 November 2022. Calling the report “a how-to guide to ensure credible, accountable net-zero pledges,” he explained that it provides clarity in four key areas – environmental integrity, credibility, accountability, and the role of governments. 

“Solving the climate crisis requires strong political leadership. I urge all government leaders to provide non-state entities with a level playing field to transition to a just, net-zero future,” added the Secretary-General. 

Since March 2022, the members of the independent Group have held more than 40 regional and thematic consultations with over 500 organizations across the world. The group convened a wide range of stakeholders, including through a Business and Finance Roundtable and two Global Public Sessions, co-hosted by the UN Foundation. The group received nearly 300 written submissions from organizations, initiatives, and individuals. 

The ten recommendations, outlined in the report, detail what non-state actors need to consider through each stage of their progress towards achieving net-zero ambitions and addressing the climate crisis. 

For more details on the Group’s objectives, scope of work, mode of operation, composition, timeline, staffing and budget, see the Terms of Reference.