UN guidance against greenwashing published

"Government or private sector commitments to net-zero cannot be a mere public relations exercise." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres

The United Nations High Level Expert Group (UN HLEG) on the Net Zero Commitments of Non-state Entities has released its report with recommendations for businesses and financial institutions on how to avoid greenwashing when setting net zero commitments.

The report provides a “how-to guide” to ensure credible, accountable net-zero pledges, with clarity in four key areas – environmental integrity, credibility, accountability, and the role of governments.

The ten recommendations, outlined in the report, detail what non-state actors need to consider through each stage of their progress towards achieving net-zero ambitions and addressing the climate crisis.

Read the report here: Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments By Businesses, Financial Institutions, Cities And Regions

The Expert Group is chaired by Catherine McKenna, the former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and includes 18 independent experts with significant experiences across a diversity of sectors, countries, and regions - including New Zealand’s Dr Rod Carr.