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 Ant¨®nio 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.