The UN-backed Race to Zero campaign has updated its criteria following major international consultation with over 200 experts and civil society groups.

Major outcomes for strengthening the criteria include making explicit the requirement for members to phase down and out all unabated fossil fuels as part of a just transition, something which was previously implicit.

Making explicit the existing requirement to publicly disclose a Transition Plan (or equivalent) within twelve months of joining Race to Zero. Reiterating the need for all members committing to net-zero to cover all scopes of emissions, both in their interim and long-term targets. For financial institutions, this includes all financed/portfolio/facilitated emissions.

Introducing a new criterion requiring members to align their lobbying and advocacy activities with net-zero by proactively supporting climate policies at the subnational and national level consistent with the Race to Zero criteria.

Nigel Topping (pictured) and Mahmoud Mohieldin, high-level climate champions for COP26 & COP27, said: “The clarity these criteria provide, together with strengthened data transparency, will help us identify the progress made and gaps remaining. They will clearly show those actors who are truly moving ahead versus those who are trying to find loopholes. We urge all Race to Zero actors to keep stepping up, or risk being removed from the Race!”

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