The campaign that kick-started the net-zero movement is shifting focus

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Trellis or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The UN-backed Race to Zero campaign is winding down its original mission of mobilizing net-zero commitments and transitioning toward a new phase focused on helping companies deliver on existing climate targets.

🔭 The context: Launched in 2020, Race to Zero helped drive thousands of corporate net-zero pledges by establishing common expectations around emissions targets and transition plans.
• The campaign grew to more than 7,000 companies but faced criticism after weakening language on ending new coal projects following pressure from financial institutions
• As corporate climate standards matured, frameworks like the Science Based Targets initiative’s net-zero standard increasingly took over the role of defining credible pathways

🌍 Why it matters: The shift reflects a broader change in corporate climate action — moving from announcing ambitions to proving measurable progress. The credibility of net-zero commitments increasingly depends on implementation, transparency, and accountability.

⏭️ What’s next: A new Net Zero Activation Group will launch later this month under the UN’s Global Climate Action Agenda, focusing on accelerating delivery of corporate climate plans.

📈 One stat: Race to Zero grew from around 1,000 corporate signatories at launch in 2020 to more than 7,000 by 2022.

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