UN Recommendations for Executing Net Zero

UN Recommendations for Executing Net Zero

John Lang

12 years: Sustainability and Net Zero

In this video, John Lang explains how to go about setting and implementing net zero targets, with a step-by-step talk through the UN’s High-Level Expert Group’s 10 Guidelines for credible net zero commitments.

In this video, John Lang explains how to go about setting and implementing net zero targets, with a step-by-step talk through the UN’s High-Level Expert Group’s 10 Guidelines for credible net zero commitments.

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UN Recommendations for Executing Net Zero

13 mins 39 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand why it is challenging to set net zero targets

  • Outline the 10 recommendations clarifying what entities should include when setting and delivering net zero targets

Overview:

Setting and achieving credible net zero targets requires an all-encompassing approach, ensuring every greenhouse gas and sector of the value chain is accounted for. Strategic emission reductions must focus on absolute targets rather than intensity benchmarks to meaningfully stabilise global temperatures. Emphasis on limited, high-quality carbon offsets is vital, moving towards contributions that bolster societal efforts towards net zero rather than mere compensation. Comprehensive transition plans should aggressively phase out fossil fuels, supported by substantial investments in renewable energy. Enhancing transparency and fostering accountability through standardised reporting and independent verification is crucial. Furthermore, integrating just transition investments is essential to align economic shifts with environmental goals, ensuring that climate action is both equitable and effective.

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Summary
Why is it challenging to set net zero targets? 

Net zero suffers from a deficit of credibility and a surplus of confusion. Setting net zero targets is challenging due to several factors: the complexity of accounting for all greenhouse gas emissions across full value chains, the difficulty in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while ensuring economic and social stability, and the reliance on high-quality carbon offsets. Additionally, entities must navigate varying scopes of direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3), ensuring comprehensive and credible approaches are maintained, often under the scrutiny of stringent transparency and accountability standards.


What are each of the 10 recommendations clarifying what entities should include when setting and delivering net zero targets? 

  1. Announce a net zero pledge: Commit publicly to net zero goals by a specified year, typically 2050, including interim targets for 2025, 2030, and 2035.
  2. Set clear and comprehensive targets: Define the scope of the targets, incorporating all emissions from the entity’s activities and value chain.
  3. Use voluntary carbon offsets sparingly: Emphasise actual emission reductions over offsets, and ensure offsets are of high quality and used only as a supplementary measure.
  4. Create detailed transition plans: Develop actionable, specific strategies to reduce emissions across all operations, including third-party verification and engagement across the value chain.
  5. Phase out fossil fuels and scale up renewables: Implement measures to end the use and support of fossil fuels, aligning with scientific pathways like those from the IPCC or IEA.
  6. Align lobbying and advocacy: Ensure that public commitments to net zero are matched by internal and external advocacy efforts that support ambitious climate policies.
  7. Consider people and nature: Include strategies to protect, restore, and manage natural ecosystems and ensure policies are fair and inclusive to all stakeholders.
  8. Increase transparency and accountability: Regularly disclose emissions data and progress in a standardised format, and engage in independent verification.
  9. Invest in Just Transitions: Support economic and workforce transitions to low-carbon technologies and practices, particularly in vulnerable communities and industries.
  10. Encourage governments to codify net zero criteria in regulations: Influence and shape policies and standards to create a consistent regulatory environment that supports net zero objectives.

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John Lang

John Lang

John Lang manages the Net Zero Tracker for various organisations, including the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit in London, NewClimate Institute in Germany, Data-Driven EnviroLab in the US, and Oxford Net Zero. He specialises in analysing and communicating climate science and policy to the public. He also runs Consult Climate, a sustainability-focused consultancy, and Kiwis in Climate, a 250-strong group of international New Zealanders working in climate and related fields. John holds a Master of Laws in international environmental law and policy from UCL and undergraduate degrees in history and law from the University of Otago.

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