Davos 2023: UN chief urges credible net-zero pledges or risk greenwashing
“The truth is that more and more businesses are making net zero commitments. But benchmarks and criteria are often dubious or murky,” the Secretary-General said to the business leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum. “It feeds a culture of climate misinformation and confusion, and leaves the door open to greenwashing,” he added.
Expert Group launches its report
On 8 November 2022, the Expert Group released its long-awaited report. “We must have zero tolerance for net-zero greenwashing. Today’s Expert Group report is a how-to guide to ensure credible, accountable net-zero pledges,” UN Chief António Guterres said at the launch event at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
With less than a month until COP27, the UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of non-State Entities presented an update on its work and took questions.
Expert group meets with Secretary-General
On 13 September, in the lead up to the UN General Assembly High-level Week, the Secretary-General met with the members of his Expert Group to discuss their vital work. The group is expected to submit its recommendations to the Secretary-General ahead of COP27.
The UN Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments has launched a new portal seeking views from individuals and groups on how to improve the credibility of net-zero commitments among businesses, investors, cities, regions, and other non-state entities.
Public consultation on net-zero accountability
The UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments launches a new portal seeking submissions from individuals and groups on how to hold non-state entities accountable for net-zero pledges and deliver immediate climate action.
Secretary-General addresses Net-Zero Expert Group
“We need to ensure net-zero commitments are ambitious and credible, and that they align with the highest standards of environmental integrity and transparency.”
Tasked with ensuring the credibility and environmental integrity of net zero pledges, the Expert Group gathered for the first time since its launch in March. “The world is in a race against time. We cannot afford slow movers, fake movers or any form of greenwashing.” Secretary-General said in a video address.
UN Chief launches Net-Zero Expert Group
The Group, chaired by former Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, will develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities, including businesses, investors, cities and regions.