Carbon Market Watch response to the UN High-level expert group on net zero

Carbon Market Watch argues that current corporate net-zero claims are often vague and lack sufficient action, frequently excluding scope 3 emissions and relying excessively on offsets. The organization proposes a rigorous framework for net-zero targets that requires full-scope emission coverage, absolute reduction targets, and transparency regarding lobbying activities. It suggests that the UN facilitate a standardized global repository for reporting and advocates for a transition from voluntary actions to strict international and national regulations to prevent greenwashing.

• An assessment of 25 of the world's largest companies with net-zero pledges found that 24 out of 25 had insufficient actions and unclear plans, resulting in a total absolute emission reduction of only 40% in the target year.
• Corporate net-zero targets frequently exclude scope 3 indirect emissions, which can lead to the omission of over 95% of a company's total emissions from its announcement.
• Credible net-zero targets must cover all emissions (scopes 1, 2, and 3) and be disaggregated into specific targets for absolute internal GHG reductions, removals, offsets, and non-compensation climate finance support.
• The integrity of a net-zero claim should be judged by the entity's overall compatibility with the Paris Agreement; for example, companies deriving revenue from oil and gas activities, including exploration and extraction, should not be able to claim net-zero status.
• Verification of net-zero progress must include an assessment of an entity's lobbying activities and its membership in industry associations that may advocate against climate regulation.
• The UN should facilitate a standardized global repository for non-State actor targets and reporting to enable comparison and support the transition from voluntary commitments to strict regulation.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (n.d.). Carbon Market Watch response to the UN High-level expert group on net zero. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Carbon-Market-Watch-response-to-the-UN-High-level-expert-group-on-net-zero.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Carbon Market Watch response to the UN High-level expert group on net zero. n.d. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Carbon-Market-Watch-response-to-the-UN-High-level-expert-group-on-net-zero.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Carbon Market Watch response to the UN High-level expert group on net zero |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Carbon-Market-Watch-response-to-the-UN-High-level-expert-group-on-net-zero.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{carbonmarketwatchndcarbon, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Carbon Market Watch response to the UN High-level expert group on net zero}}, publisher = {Carbon Market Watch}, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Carbon-Market-Watch-response-to-the-UN-High-level-expert-group-on-net-zero.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }