World

COP27: UN Sec-Gen calls for 'Zero tolerance for net-zero greenwashing'

At the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP27), UN Secretary General António Guterres, iterated that there shall be zero tolerance for net-zero greenwashing. An expert group of the UN Secretary General published its first report on the matter, slamming greenwashing activities by corporate entities.

Greenwashing refers to the act of misleading the public to believe that a company or entity is doing more to protect the environment than it is – and weak net-zero pledges and provides a roadmap to bring integrity to net-zero commitments by industry, financial institutions, cities and regions and to support a global, equitable transition to a sustainable future.

The UN Secretary General further added, “A growing number of governments and non-state actors are pledging to be carbon-free — and that is good news. The problem is that the criteria and benchmarks for these net-zero commitments have varying levels of rigor and loopholes wide enough to drive a diesel truck through.”

What does the report say?

According to the experts, actors cannot claim to be ‘net zero’ while continuing to build or invest in new fossil fuel supply or any kind of environmentally destructive activities. Further, they can also not participate in lobbying activities against climate change.

The report also points out guidelines and has suggested that the non-state entities with net-zero targets must not allow any fresh investment in fossil fuels. It further added that they must present verifiable short-term emission reduction goals on the path to achieving net-zero, and, by 2025, must bring to an end all their activities that directly or indirectly lead to deforestation.

The report has specified 10 practical recommendations in four key areas - environmental integrity; credibility; accountability; and the role of governments.

The Report's Recommendations

According to the report, net-zero pledges must in line with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios limiting warming to 1.5 degrees. Furthermore, the net-zero pledges should be accompanied by a plan for how the transition is being made. “Management must be accountable for delivering on these pledges. This means publicly advocating for decisive climate action and disclosing all lobbying activity,” Guterres said. He further added that adding that the absence of standards, regulations and rigor in voluntary carbon market credits is deeply concerning.

The UN Secretary General also urged all government leaders to provide non-State entities with a level playing field to transition to a just, net-zero future, advocating for strong political leadership for solving the climate crisis.

 

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