our 2050 world
A collaboration to accelerate the transition to net zero using standards and enable the planet to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest.
our 2050 world
A collaboration to accelerate the transition to net zero using standards and enable the planet to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Our Vision
The standards we define and apply in this decade will determine our 2050 world.
Standards underpin the real economy and will play a critical role harnessing the groundswell of voluntary commitments from non-state actors. Commitment and action using standards will, in turn, motivate and give confidence to national governments to step up and strengthen their own commitment and ambition.
Optimizing the use of standards will support the transition to net zero of global, regional and national market frameworks. It is key to activating the ambition loop between non-state actors and national governments and enabling a swift, equitable transition to net-zero.
Our 2050 World is an open collaboration between international organizations and standards bodies to drive transformational collective action to achieve net zero.
Standards form a framework of voluntary and compliance tools that can be used by states and market actors to achieve their climate goals. Standards are an underused resource for governments, industry and society everywhere to accelerate the transition to net zero. They can help to operationalize the Race to Zero member commitments, supporting the campaign’s Partner initiatives.
The scale of transition that our economy must make will only be possible with collaborative action to drive net zero compatible market frameworks including voluntary and mandatory intervention. We need to work across the full spectrum of the global standards system, from privately agreed best practise to internationally recognized technical specifications that underpin regulation.
Our Plan
Our 2050 World will address present and future challenges in using standards to help accelerate the implementation of Race to Zero commitments, recognizing the work already underway with leadership of the campaign’s Partner initiatives.
Clarity and consistency on targets, measurement, and reporting
There is no single agreed definition of net-zero targets, measurement and reporting requirements for non-state actors that would build trust with governments, investors and consumers. Multiple definitions, with key differences including the scope of emissions and the role of offsetting, creates ambiguity, delay, and inaction. Moreover, the proliferation and growing complexity of climate change standards, regulations and policy commitments pose a significant challenge.
Reaching stakeholder consensus to reduce variation and complexity in targets, measurement and assessment methodologies, and reporting requirements
Facilitating the communication of common standards that will provide an agreed direction of travel to support national objectives, corporate goals, and societal expectations
Building the community of standards makers, regulators and governments around the effective implementation of science and evidence-based methodologies that also respect national contexts
Making action easier – accessible and pragmatic guidance
Standards are tools used by public and private organisations, governments and regulators to improve performance and for compliance purposes. As the imperative of climate action increases many non-state actors want to act but a lack of accessible and pragmatic guidance to good practice is a barrier. Smaller businesses and those in developing countries, find it more difficult to get started. They may be unaware that guidance exists or not be able to justify the cost, effort, and suitability of change.
We propose to intervene by:
Building consensus on existing and new technical standards to ensure they are accessible, pragmatic and embrace climate science
Identifying and agreeing on an overarching framework of standards and a coherent mechanism where there are multiple alternative approaches to reduce confusion
Engaging with governments to explore an outcome-based approach to the use of standards and supporting the development of regulation and official guidance to accelerate and mainstream change.
Accelerating solution-orientated innovation
Skilful use of standards that accelerate the transition to Net Zero will scale the deployment of existing technologies and bring forward emerging innovation. Beyond this lies the potential for standards to ‘break the mould’ by enabling the rapid disruption of industries and support scaling of value-chains that align with climate goals.
We propose to intervene by:
Collaborating with innovation agencies at subnational, national and supra-national level to support disruptive innovation
Prioritizing consensus building relating to solution-orientated innovation which supports new value-chains that are aligned with climate goals
Building the global partnerships between standards makers that will fast track future consensus building to reach our vision.
Our collaboration
