Race to Zero launch

5th June 2020

Today is World Environment Day which sees the official launch of Race to Zero, the global COP26 campaign, which EAUC through the work of the Global Climate Letter is endorsing. The campaign aims to mobilize leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a Healthy, Resilient, Zero Carbon recovery, which creates jobs, unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth and reduces the risk of future shocks.

Led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action – Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz– Race To Zero mobilizes actors outside of national governments to join the Climate Ambition Alliance, which was launched at the UNSG’s Climate Action Summit 2019 by the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera.

The objective is to build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that business, cities, regions and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Since 2019, over 500 higher education institutions representing 4.6 million students, and 60 networks representing more than 17,000 colleges and universities, have committed to be Net-Zero by 2050 at the latest, through the Global Universities and Colleges for the Climate Letter initiated by EAUC and supported by the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), Global Alliance and Second Nature. However, their commitment hasn't stopped there. As a part of the "Race to Zero" campaign leading up to COP26, their dedication to achieving carbon neutrality will be scaled up in order to showcase the transformative power of the higher education sector as an agent of change when it comes to climate action.

How to join Race to Zero

Colleges and Universities are invited to commit to the Race to Zero by signing the Global Universities and Colleges for the Climate. 

ENDS