Principles for Paris-alignment Position paper

ClientEarth proposes a principles-based framework to standardize 'Paris-alignment' and 'net-zero' strategies for the private sector. The framework consists of three core principles—Reasonable, Transparent, and Accountable—supported by eleven 'Red lines' that act as non-negotiable requirements. These include setting net-zero targets for Scopes 1-3 by 2050 at the latest, prioritizing direct value chain reductions over offsets, and linking executive remuneration to target achievement. The paper emphasizes that financial institutions must specifically disclose how they influence Scope 3 emissions through investment and underwriting decisions to ensure real-world GHG reductions.

• To prevent 'greenwash', all Paris-alignment or net-zero claims must adhere to three principles: they must be reasonable (evidence-based and updated with science), transparent (disclosed uncertainties and methodologies), and accountable (decision-makers incentivized to meet targets).
• The document establishes 'Red lines' for corporate strategies, requiring a net-zero GHG emissions objective for Scopes 13 by 2050 at the latest, consistent with a 1.5C pathway, and the inclusion of short, medium, and long-term targets, specifically for 2025 and 2030.
• Strategies must prioritize the reduction of direct value chain GHG emissions and are prohibited from relying unreasonably on offsets or unproven/uncosted negative emissions technologies.
• Accountability measures should include adopting net-zero objectives in an entity's articles of association or constitutive documents and linking the remuneration of specific individuals to the achievement of targets.
• Transparency requirements include annual reporting of progress in financial reporting, third-party assurance of disclosures, and ensuring that financial account assumptions (IFRS/GAAP) and capital expenditure are consistent with climate targets.
• Financial institutions are subject to an additional requirement to disclose a detailed policy explaining how they will use investment, stewardship, financing, and underwriting to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions.

APA

ClientEarth (2020). Principles for Paris-alignment Position paper. https://www.clientearth.org/media/40omeroa/2020-10-16-principles-for-paris-alignment-position-paper-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Principles for Paris-alignment Position paper. 2020. https://www.clientearth.org/media/40omeroa/2020-10-16-principles-for-paris-alignment-position-paper-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Principles for Paris-alignment Position paper |date=October 2020 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/40omeroa/2020-10-16-principles-for-paris-alignment-position-paper-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2020principles, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Principles for Paris-alignment Position paper}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/40omeroa/2020-10-16-principles-for-paris-alignment-position-paper-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }