Net Zero Coalition | United Nations (2024)

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Climate Action

More countries are commiting to net-zero emissions by 2050. The coalition is growing. But commitments must be backed by bold, credible actions. By every country in the world. Starting now. Net Zero #ItsPossible. Starting now! Starting now! Starting now!

What is net zero?

Put simply, net zero meanscutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere.

Why is net zero important?

The science shows clearly that in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°Cabove pre-industrial levels. Currently,the Earth is already about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise.To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C–as called for in theParis Agreement– emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

How can net zero be achieved?

Transitioning to a net-zero world is one of the greatest challenges humankind has faced. It calls for nothing less than a complete transformation of how we produce, consume, and move about. Theenergy sectoris the source of around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change. Replacing polluting coal, gas and oil-fired power with energy from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, would dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

Is there a global effort to reach net zero?

Yes, a growing coalition of countries, cities, businesses and other institutions are pledging to get to net-zero emissions. More than 140 countries, including the biggest polluters – China, the United States, India and the European Union – have set a net-zero target, covering about 88% of global emissions. More than 9,000 companies, over 1000 cities, more than 1000 educational institutions, and over 600 financial institutions have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030.

How do we ensure commitments are turned into action?

The growth in net-zero pledges has been accompanied by a proliferation of criteria with varying levels of robustness. To develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities such as businesses, investors, cities and regions, and speed up their implementation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres in March 2022 established a High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. The Expert Group presented itsrecommendationsat COP27 on 8 November 2022.

Are we on track to reach net zero by 2050?

No, commitments made by governments to date fall far short of what is required. Current national climate plans – for 195 Parties to the Paris Agreement taken together – would lead to a sizableincrease of almost 9% in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Getting to net zero requires all governments – first and foremost the biggest emitters – to significantly strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and take bold, immediate steps towards reducing emissions now.

Current national plans fall short of what is required

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Most emissions come from just a few countries

The top five emitters (China, the United States of America, India, the European Union, the Russian Federation) accounted for about 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

TheGroup of 20(Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union) are responsible forabout 76 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

By contrast, least developed countries account for about 3.8 per cent of global emissions, while small island developing States contribute less than 1 per cent.

Source: UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2023

Government or private sectorcommitments to net-zero cannot be a mere public relations exercise."

ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General, 8 November 2022

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Net-zero news

Strengthening the standards for net-zero pledges

Governments have the biggest responsibility in the transition to net-zero emissions by mid-century. But businesses, investors, cities, states and regions also needs to live up to their net-zero promises. A high-level expert group convened by the UN Secretary-General and chaired by former Canadian Minister Catherine McKennadeveloped stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges by non-State entities. Learn more

All About the NDCs

A Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a climate action plan. How do NDCs work and why they are important? What's happening in different countries? Read up on the basics

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Join the Race to Zero

Through this UN-backed campaign, companies, cities, financial and educational institutions and others are taking ambitious, immediate actions to halve global emissions by 2030. Find out more

The road to net zero

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2015

196 countries adopted the historic Paris Agreement to reduce global warming and build resilience to climate change. Its overall goal: limit warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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2015-2017

Parties to the agreement began submitting climate action plans known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Initial commitments, even if fully implemented, would only be enough to slow warming to 3 degrees. Urgent calls for action and ambition gained momentum as the plans would not stop catastrophic impacts.

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2020-2021

In the lead-up to the COP26 climate talks, countries have begun revising their NDCs to strengthen climate action. With science affirming a shrinking window of opportunity, the plans must include urgent actions to cut carbon emissions and reach net zero by 2050.

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2030

To keep warming to 1.5 degrees, countries must cut emissions by at least 45 per cent compared to 2010 levels.

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2050

The transition to net-zero emissions must be fully complete.

Facts and figures

  • What is climate change?
  • Causes and effects
  • Myth busters
  • Reports
  • Fast facts

Cutting emissions

  • Explaining net zero
  • High-level expert group on net zero
  • Checklists for credibility of net-zero pledges
  • Greenwashing
  • What you can do

Clean energy

  • Renewable energy – key to a safer future
  • What is renewable energy
  • Five ways to speed up the energy transition
  • Why invest in renewable energy
  • Clean energy stories
  • A just transition

Adapting to climate change

  • Climate adaptation
  • Early warnings for all
  • Youth voices

Financing climate action

  • Finance and justice
  • Loss and damage
  • $100 billion commitment
  • Why finance climate action

Explainers

  • Health
  • Food
  • Biodiversity
  • Ocean
  • Water
  • Land
  • Greenwashing
  • Human Security
  • Women
  • 1.5°C

International cooperation

  • Paris Agreement
  • What are Nationally Determined Contributions
  • Acceleration Agenda
  • Climate Ambition Summit
  • Climate conferences (COPs)
  • Youth Advisory Group
  • Action initiatives
  • Sustainable Development Goals

Resources

  • Secretary-General’s speeches
  • Press material
  • Interviews
  • Fact sheets
  • Graphics
  • Communications tips
Net Zero Coalition | United Nations (2024)

FAQs

Which countries have net zero pledges? ›

Yes, a growing coalition of countries, cities, businesses and other institutions are pledging to get to net-zero emissions. More than 140 countries, including the biggest polluters – China, the United States, India and the European Union – have set a net-zero target, covering about 88% of global emissions.

What is net zero nation? ›

Net Zero Nation was established to accelerate the transition to Net Zero by a unique programme of mass-mobilising SMEs, to enable carbon reduction and become more resilient and successful organisations.

What is the net zero Alliance? ›

The UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA) is a member-led initiative of institutional investors committed to transitioning their investment portfolios to net zero GHG emissions by 2050 – consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C.

What is the Getting to net zero Coalition? ›

The Getting to Zero Coalition is an industry-led platform for collaboration that brings together leading stakeholders from across the maritime- and fuels value chains with the financial sector and others committed to making commercially viable zero-emission vessels a scalable reality by 2030, towards full ...

What are the three carbon negative countries? ›

Three Carbon-Negative Countries
  • Since the signing of the Paris Agreement, an inspiring number of countries have publicly declared net-zero pledges and deadline-imposed commitments to reducing carbon emissions. ...
  • Bhutan. ...
  • Suriname. ...
  • Panama.

Has China signed up to net zero? ›

China, the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases accounting for 27% of global emissions, made a surprise pledge at the 75th UN General Assembly to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, boosting hopes for a pathway to global net-zero.

Is America net zero? ›

The United States has set a goal of net-zero emissions by no later than 2050. ) and is economy-wide. The goal is on a net basis, including both sources of emissions and removals. It does not include emissions from international aviation or international shipping.

Who is behind net zero? ›

It's perfectly possible to remove CO2 from the atmosphere - Professor Myles Allen, the physicist behind net zero.

Why are some people against net zero? ›

The arguments against the net zero transition can be boiled down to four inter-related critiques: we can't afford it; we don't need to do it; it won't work; and we don't want to take the risk of being the first mover.

How many corporations have made net zero pledges? ›

Net Zero Tracker, an independent group that follows corporate pledges, found that half the world's largest 2,000 publicly listed companies have a net zero target. In the past 16 months, the number of companies with these aims has risen 40% from 702 in June 2022 to 1,003 in October 2023.

What cities are committed to net zero? ›

Cities with more ambitious net-zero targets than their nations
CityCountryCountry Target
CopenhagenDenmark2050
AdelaideAustralia2050
NottinghamUK2050
MumbaiIndia2070
6 more rows
Jul 22, 2022

What does net zero mean for a country? ›

We've all heard the term net zero, but what exactly does it mean? Put simply, net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) that's produced and the amount that's removed from the atmosphere. It can be achieved through a combination of emission reduction and emission removal.

What is the zero coalition? ›

The Coalition's ambition is to commercialize zero-emission vessels operating along deep-sea trade routes by 2030, supported by the necessary infrastructure for scalable zero-carbon energy sources including production, distribution, storage and bunkering.

Is there a problem with net zero? ›

The smoke and mirror delivered by net zero pledges, many of which amount to little more than greenwashing, are counterproductive and may actually hurt efforts to truly address emissions while leading people to believe we're on track to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

What countries have signed up to net zero? ›

Sweden and Germany have legally binding net zero targets for 2045. France, Denmark, Spain, Hungary and Luxemburg have set theirs for 2050. Japan, Korea, Canada, and New Zealand have passed laws committing to achieving net zero by 2050 while Ireland, Chile and Fiji have proposed legislation.

How many companies have pledged net zero? ›

More than 10,000 companies have publicly announced these goals in one form or another. Although many of these goals are not independently verified, among the world's largest 2,000 companies, more than half have set net-zero targets according to Net Zero Tracker.

Does Japan have plans to become net zero? ›

In line with its pathway to net-zero, Japan will end new construction of domestic unabated coal power plants, while securing a stable energy supply. Our commitment to mobilize up to approximately $70 billion USD climate finance from both public and private is also on track.

Has the EU committed to net zero? ›

The European Union is committed to reaching 'net zero' CO2 emissions by 2050. While the major part of this effort will come from reducing current emissions levels in the coming years, we will also need technologies that can capture CO2 or remove it directly from the atmosphere and then store or utilise it.

Is Canada a net zero country? ›

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, mandates the NZAB to engage Canadians and provide independent advice to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with respect to achieving Canada's target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

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