One mission, one future – NO time to waste
A global campaign for zero-carbon recovery
The Race to Zero is a global campaign rallying leadership from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
How Cities Race to Zero began
Launched ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the Cities Race to Zero is the city-focused version of the global Race to Zero campaign. It brought together an unprecedented coalition of cities committed to setting science-based targets and implementing inclusive, resilient climate action. The campaign united over 1,000 cities demonstrating their commitment to climate action aligned with the Paris Agreement.
A powerful partnership for climate ambition
Global city partners C40 Cities, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Global Covenant of Mayors, CDP, United Cities and Local Governments, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund collaborate to support cities with the science-based targets required to achieve a net-zero future. This partnership ensures cities are aligned on targets, receive implementation support, and maintain consistency with existing reporting metrics without additional burdens.
Sending a signal to national governments
Through commitments to the Paris Agreement, cities worldwide are already working toward Race to Zero goals. Signing onto Cities Race to Zero sends a powerful signal to national governments that cities are ready and willing to partner in reaching the highest climate ambitions.
Cities signing onto the Cities Race to Zero must commit to the following:
Publicly endorse the following principles:
- We recognise the global climate emergency.
- We are committed to keeping global heating below the 1.5°Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement.
- We are committed to putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making to create thriving and equitable communities for everyone.
- We invite our partners – political leaders, CEOs, trade unions, investors, and civil society – to join us in recognising the global climate emergency and help us deliver on science-based action to overcome it.
Pledge to reach (net) zero:
- Either in the 2040s or sooner, or by mid-century at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°Celsius.
Explain what steps will be taken toward achieving net zero
- Especially in the short- to medium-term. Set an interim target to achieve in the next decade, which reflects a fair share of the 50% global reduction in CO2 by 2030 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°Celsius.
Immediately proceed to planning at least one inclusive and equitable climate action
- Actions are listed on www.citiesracetozero.org that will help to place your city on a resilient pathway consistent with the 1.5°Celsius objective of the Paris Agreement and begin implementation no later than 2022.
Report progress annually
- Reporting progress should begin no later than the year you joined Cities Race to Zero to your usual or recommended reporting platforms.
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