Standards & schemes
UN Climate Change High-Level Champions
In brief
Race to Zero is the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions' umbrella campaign for non-state net-zero commitments, applying its Criteria 5.0 — the "meta-criteria" of Pledge, Plan, Proceed, Publish — to the partner initiatives (SBTi-adjacent commitments, sector campaigns, regional pledges) that carry members' promises. Its function is threshold-setting: partners must meet the criteria, which demand science-aligned interim targets, immediate action and annual public reporting. It is a campaign with entry criteria, not an assurance system; membership signals a commitment made against the criteria, and the Champions have toughened them over time in response to greenwashing criticism. The criteria are revised periodically — the 5.0 'P' revision strengthened requirements on immediate action and phase-out of fossil-fuel finance — and partner initiatives are expected to bring their members into line. The campaign reports participation through the UNFCCC's Global Climate Action Portal, where pledges are publicly listed. Alignment with these principles is a stated position, not a certification; it does not by itself demonstrate compliance or outcomes.
Conditional relationships
A relationship does not mean that the standard proves or validates every use of a claim.
Recognition & legal context
No reviewed law references are published.
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