4. Publish

There is strong consensus among international experts on institutional climate action that regular reporting of progress toward net zero is a key criteria of commitment to ensure accountability in achieving net zero.

It is also important for institutions to report through global standardised platforms, including those that feed into the UNFCCC’s Global Climate Action Platform (RAMCC for the Global Covenant of Mayors and UNFCCC Fashion, CDP, ICLEI). More generally, sub- and non-state actors’ targets can complement and feed into national targets and implementation (Alliances for Climate Action).

Global standardised reporting allows for an annual stock-take of the world’s progress towards net zero by 2050, to be prepared for the annual Conference of Parties in which nations negotiate and report their progress as well and is a key part of how sub-national organisations (companies and NGOs) help drive ambition and support for climate action in government.  

Given the uncertainties around long-term strategies, robust short and medium-term targets are key, and can be pledged and reported on through the (SBTi) and will also require progress reports. 

Additionally, publishing progress reports through board and investor briefings and public announcements on an organisation’s website can create motivating deadlines and open up opportunities for the leadership to seek support in problem-solving challenges in achieving net zero. These may be shared challenges, after all. 

Below you’ll find resources for publishing progress towards net zero. 

*In Spring 2020, Oxford Net Zero convened a series of online discussions between actors and networks setting “net zero” targets and scientific experts who agreed on a minimum criteria for taking part in the global Race to Zero campaign of the United Nations Framework Committee on Climate Change High Level Champions Team. These discussions highlighted the importance of reporting as a mechanism for ensuring progress towards net zero targets.