The Race to Zero is accelerating with the launch of a new online platform
The We Mean Business coalition
The We Mean Business coalition would like to introduce the Race to Zero online platform, from the COP26 Champions Team, in partnership with the UNFCCC and co-developed by the We Mean Business coalition.
The Race to Zero website will feature all of the amazing progress being made towards the zero-carbon future, across all ‘systems’, geographies and stakeholders, including business, government, cities, civil society, faith groups and more. The platform builds on and replaces the Better Future Faster campaign launched by the We Mean Business coalition in 2019.
The platform focuses on ‘systemic storytelling’ by presenting the latest and most dynamic ‘signals of change’ that show we are accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon future that is inevitable, irresistible and desirable. Bringing this content together in one place helps provide a powerful driver for increased ambition and accelerate the Race to Zero.
The site features news, articles, videos and opinion pieces from a broad spectrum of leaders taking action on climate change and related issues. By bringing together these stories of climate action from all stakeholders, including businesses and governments, the site will help to shine a light on innovation and the early signs of exponential growth.
The portal is launched at the start of the The Race To Zero Dialogues (9-19 November), which are critical inputs to the UNFCCC Climate Dialogues to accelerate progress to meet the Paris Agreement. The dialogues will set the stage for the Anniversary of the Paris Agreement on 12 December as the world embarks on the ‘Race to Zero’ towards COP26 in 2021 and throughout this critical decade.
In the spirit of inclusivity, the events are being hosted across multiple time-zones, allowing myriad speakers from all over the world to reflect on progress made on mitigation and adaptation.
Joining the Race to Zero
Race To Zero, the global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery, is led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action – Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz. All campaign members are committed to the same overarching goal – achieving net emissions by 2050 at the latest.
The campaign objective is to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that business, cities, regions and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.
The Race to Zero mobilizes a coalition of leading net-zero initiatives, representing 452 cities, 22 regions, 1,101 businesses, 45 of the biggest investors, and 549 universities. These ‘real economy’ actors join 120 countries in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. Collectively these actors now cover nearly 25% global CO2 emissions and over 50% of GDP.
2020 has been a challenging year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating climate impacts and tensions around racial inequality, but these dialogues will chart how entire sectors are already rapidly transitioning to a resilient, inclusive zero-carbon future that leaves no-one behind, as defined in the Climate Action Pathways.
Check out the Race to Zero website here and find out how you can join the Race to Zero campaign here.