Learn how you can use #ClimateWatch to track countries’ net-zero climate targets and understand their long-term strategies (LTS) to limit global warming. Join the conversation: #ClimateWatch #NetZero

1. Webinar
Net Zero Emissions Targets: Which Countries Have
Them and How They Stack Up
2 June 2021

2. Speakers
• Katie Ross, Associate II, Climate Program, WRI
• Johannes Friedrich, Senior Associate, Climate Program, WRI
• Mengpin Ge, Associate II, Climate Program, WRI
• Rhys Gerholdt, Communications Director, Climate Program, WRI
(Moderator)

3. WHY IS NET-ZERO
IMPORTANT?
A Brief Explainer

4. IN THE NEWS…

5. RACE TO ZERO CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF COP26
A coalition of leading net zero initiatives,
representing 708 cities, 24 regions, 2,360
businesses, 163 of the biggest investors, and
624 Higher Education Institutions.

6. CONTEXT
• The 2015 Paris Agreement introduces language around net-zero:
“achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by
sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the
second half of this century…”
• The 2018 IPCC special report examined “net-zero” in the context of
1.5°C and 2°C pathways
• Many recent long-term strategies are increasingly exploring
questions around net-zero

7. https://reports.swissre.com/sustainability-report/2019/footprint/net-zero-commitment-in-
our-operations-by-2030/focus-our-commitment-in-detail.html
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REACH GLOBAL NET-ZERO
EMISSIONS?

8. WHY DOES THE WORLD NEED TO REACH NET-ZERO
EMISSIONS?

9. HOW TO ACHIEVE NET-ZERO EMISSIONS?
SOME EXAMPLES…

10. IS THE WORLD ON TRACK FOR NET-ZERO BY 2050?
https://publications.wri.org/state_of_climate_action

11. HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE NET-ZERO TARGETS?
48 Parties, representing 59 countries and 54% of global GHG emissions,
have communicated net-zero targets.
Source: Climate Watch Net-Zero Tracker
Last updated: June 1, 2021

12. BY WHEN HAVE COUNTRIES COMMITTED TO REACH NET ZERO?

13. ARE NET-ZERO TARGETS GREENWASHING?
• No, but valid concerns have been raised
– Credibility of target (overreliance on removals and under-
developed tech)
– Possible distraction from immediate and transformative change
– Lack of political accountability with target so far into the future

14. HOW TO SPOT ROBUST NATIONAL NET-ZERO TARGETS?

15. HOW TO SPOT ROBUST NATIONAL NET-ZERO TARGETS?
 Covers all GHGs and sectors
 Clarity on how much of the target is met through domestic
emissions reductions
 Avoids or limits use of international offsets
 Target communicated clearly (on coverage and on timing)
 Informs near-term targets (e.g., in NDC)
 Communicates clear policy for attainment
https://files.wri.org/s3fs-public/setting-course-to-netzero.pdf

16. FURTHER READING
Article
• What Does "Net-Zero Emissions" Mean?
8 Common Questions, Answered
Research Paper
• Designing and Communicating Net-zero
Targets

17. NET-ZERO TOOLS ON
CLIMATE WATCH
www.climatewatchdata.org

18. WRI’S DATA PLATFORMS
Intro Climate Watch

19. WHAT IS CLIMATE WATCH?
Intro Climate Watch

20. Intro Climate Watch
THE USERS OF CLIMATE WATCH DATA
123+ Government
Ministries & IOs from 55+ countries
25,000+
data downloads
380,000+
Users in total since
launch
400+
Major Companies
Researchers, NGOs &
Media from every
country
22 (I)NDCs
from 11 countries
reference CW data

21. Intro Climate Watch
REFERENCES TO CLIMATE WATCH DATA

22. KEY MODULES OF CLIMATE WATCH
Intro Climate Watch

23. CLIMATE WATCH RESOURCE BANK
https://www.climatewatchdata.org/key-visualizations

24. NET-ZERO
BY THE NUMBERS

25. 59 COUNTRIES HAVE NET-ZERO TARGETS, 54% OF EMISSIONS
Available at: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker

26. NET-ZERO TARGETS SET IN LAWS, POLICIES AND
POLITICAL PLEDGES
Available at: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker

27. WHICH YEAR DID COUNTRIES SET NET-ZERO TARGETS?

28. BY WHEN HAVE COUNTRIES COMMITTED TO REACH NET ZERO?

29. 28 NET-ZERO TARGETS SPECIFIED WHAT GHG GASSES ARE COVERED
Available at: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker

30. AT LEAST 31 NET-ZERO TARGETS COVER ALL DOMESTIC SECTORS
Available at: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker

31. USE INTERNATIONAL OFFSETS TO ACHIEVE NET-ZERO IS UNCLEAR
FOR MOST COUNTRIES
Available at: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker

32. Net-Zero Resources on Climate Watch
Net-Zero Tracker
https://www.climatewatchdata.org/net-zero-tracker
Explore Long-Term Strategies (LTS)
https://www.climatewatchdata.org/lts-explore

33. Q&A

34. GLOBAL EMISSIONS BY SECTOR

35. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REACH GLOBAL NET-ZERO
EMISSIONS?