UN High-Level Expert Group Chair urges action for high-integrity net zero transition plans by 2025

By Nazrin Abdul

Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Actors, delivered a crucial progress report today at COP29 titled "Integrity Matters: The Hard Work is Now" to the UN Secretary-General.

The report provides an update on the progress made by businesses, investors, cities, and regions in meeting the commitments outlined in the 2022 Integrity Matters report, which called for credible and high-integrity net-zero commitments.

In her address, McKenna emphasized that the shift to a net-zero economy is not only possible but urgent. “The leaders highlighted in this review show that high-integrity net zero can be achieved. It’s no longer credible for companies, investors, cities, and regions to claim that moving faster on the climate crisis is too difficult or expensive,” McKenna said. “However, to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, we need a much broader range of companies, investors, cities, and regions to build on these examples and produce high-integrity transition plans by 2025.”

The report highlighted several positive developments, including the increasing recognition of the economic opportunities presented by the global energy transition. Nearly 100 leading cities worldwide have developed climate action plans that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, following C40's Cities Climate Transition Framework. Additionally, 1,145 of the world’s largest 2,000 publicly listed companies have made voluntary net-zero commitments, representing a 23% increase since June 2023, with notable progress in Asia.

Despite these encouraging figures, the report identifies several critical gaps. McKenna pointed out that many of these commitments lack alignment with the key criteria set out in *Integrity Matters*, particularly when it comes to phasing out fossil fuels. “The phase-out of fossil fuels must underpin all transition plans,” she said. The report also highlights the need for stronger commitments to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and independent auditing and verification processes to ensure the credibility of the pledges.

"Voluntary efforts alone are not enough," McKenna stated. “We also need governments to step up and regulate net-zero pledges to address competitive issues and provide certainty for investment decisions.” McKenna cited a recent report by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, which found that 90% of businesses would be willing to invest more if governments implemented policies to address barriers in the energy transition.

The report comes at a pivotal moment as countries prepare to submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025. McKenna called for greater alignment between non-state actors and national climate goals to strengthen the credibility of these commitments. “By driving corporations and sub-national governments to set rigorous net-zero targets and transition plans, countries can boost the credibility of their national climate goals,” she said.

In line with the UN Secretary-General’s call, McKenna stressed the urgency of creating robust transition plans. “Every city, region, industry, financial institution, and company must also be part of the solution,” said Secretary-General António Guterres in his special address “A Moment of Truth”.

"They must present robust transition plans by COP30 next year in Brazil at the latest, aligned with 1.5 degrees and the recommendations of the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net Zero."

McKenna concluded her remarks with a powerful reminder of the stakes involved. “Climate change is accelerating, and the clean energy transition is inevitable. Business, investors, cities, and regions have the tools to act decisively already, and they should work with national governments to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Every fraction of a degree matters, and every tonne of CO2 makes a difference. We must do the hard work now, or we will all face the consequences tomorrow.”