What is Race to Zero?
Race to Zero is a UN-backed global campaign to take rigorous and immediate action to halve emissions by 2030.
It rallies non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial institutions and educational establishments – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world.
The goal of Race to Zero
All Race to Zero members are committed to the same overarching goal: reducing emissions across all scopes swiftly and fairly in line with the Paris Agreement, with transparent action plans and robust near-term targets.
Led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action – Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz – Race to Zero mobilises actors outside of national governments to join the Climate Ambition Alliance, which was launched at the UNSG’s Climate Action Summit 2019 by the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera.
How to join Race to Zero: process for new members
1. Pledge
Pledge at the head-of-organisation (for state/regional governments, this reflects a pledge at the Governor, Premier, First Minister, Chief Minister or other Minister) level to reach net zero GHG emissions as soon as possible, and by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5˚C.
Set an interim target to achieve in the next decade, which reflects maximum effort toward or beyond a fair share of the 50% global reduction in CO2 by 2030 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5˚C.
Submit evidence of this public commitment to net zero to the Under2 Coalition Secretariat through the Under2 Ambition Tracker.
Note: The interim target must be set within 12 months from the point of joining Race to Zero, if not shared already at the time of the pledge.
2. Plan
Within 12 months of joining, explain what actions will be taken toward achieving both interim and longer-term pledges, especially in the short- to medium-term.
3. Proceed
Take immediate action towards achieving net zero, consistent with delivering interim targets specified. Participating in Under2 Coalition projects and activities can support states and regions to reach their targets and fulfil this criterion.
4. Publish
Commit to report publicly both progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as the actions being taken. Report via CDP annually and have your data included in the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal.
5. Persuade
Within 12 months of joining, align external policy and engagement - including membership in associations - to the goal of halving emissions by 2030 and reaching global net zero by 2050.
How to join Race to Zero: process for existing members*
*members who've been in Race to Zero for a year or more.
CDP is the global reporting platform for Race to Zero. Existing members of the campaign must continue to report their progress annually to CDP through the States and Regions Questionnaire.
1. Plan
Develop a long-term decarbonisation pathway (using the Under2 Pathways Framework or any other methodology).
Fill out the CDP questionnaire in line with the Race to Zero accountability process and submit pathway.
2. Proceed
Develop a long-term decarbonisation pathway, as well as MRV system, and engage in capacity building Under2 Coalition projects and demonstrate action through case studies.
3. Publish
Met via action on step two and through annual CDP disclosure.
For information on how to use the CDP platform, please view their Disclosure Platform User Guide. You can also consult their 2022 States and Regions Questionnaire Guidance for help with your reporting and consult the Frequently Asked Questions.
4. Persuade
Within 12 months of joining, align external policy and engagement - including membership in associations - to the goal of halving emissions by 2030 and reaching global net zero by 2050.
Race to Resilience
Race to Resilience is a sibling campaign of Race to Zero. Through a partnership of initiatives, the campaign focuses on helping frontline communities to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat, drought, flooding and sea-level rise.
Useful resources
United Nations Climate Change Website statement, released 5th June
Joint Statement between UNFCCC & Race to Zero
Letter from Simon Steill to parties