Taskforce on Net Zero Policy

At COP30, the Taskforce published its flagship report, ’Policy Matters: From Pledges to Delivery – A Decade After Paris’, offering the most comprehensive independent global update on net zero policy progress, gaps and suggested best practice for governments, companies and financial institutions.  

As the world marks a decade since Paris, the Taskforce’s co-chair, Helena Viñes Fiestas, said: “his is not a moment for despondency. We have the tools, the technologies, and the commitments. At a time of rising political uncertainty, bold, system-wide policy action is essential to limit the scale and duration of the 1.5°C overshoot — and to reduce its economic and human cost. Now is the time to redouble our efforts, with determination and deliberate action. COP30 in Brazil is a vital opportunity to put the Paris Agreement back on track and chart a credible path to mobilising the $1.3 trillion needed annually in climate finance by 2035.”  

For any further questions on this report, please contact netzerotaskforce@unpri.org

In 2024, the Taskforce published its two inaugural reports during COP29, providing insights on the G20 corporate and financial policy reform as it relates to the nine recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (HLEG): 

About the Taskforce

Background

The Taskforce on Net Zero Policy was established at COP28 (2023) to further the aims of the High‑Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (HLEG).

The HLEG was established in 2022 to develop stronger and clearer standards for net zero emissions pledges by non-state entities – including businesses, investors, cities, and regions – and to speed up their implementation. Its landmark 2022 report “Integrity Matters” made a clear recommendation to “accelerate the road to regulation”. The Taskforce was set up to address this specific recommendation, and to facilitate the formation of a n enabling policy environment which allows non-state actors to facilitate their own shift to a net zero future.

The strategic priorities and areas of focus for the Taskforce are set by its Board of Trustees, with the PRI providing secretariat support for the body.   

The Taskforce was announced by its co-Chair, Helena Vines Fiestas, during the UN Secretary General’s High-level Meeting for Non-State Actors at COP28:  

Objectives and structure

The Taskforce’s core objectives are as follows:  

• Establish a collaborative space that encourages the sharing of knowledge, practices, and insights among policymakers and regulators. 
• Provide research and technical support, particularly in policy areas which support the net zero transition in a way that is consistent with the HLEG recommendations and that also works for companies of all sizes and addresses the needs of middle and low income and the most vulnerable countries. 
• Identify opportunities within regulatory frameworks that support the implementation of the HLEG recommendations. 

The Taskforce’s activity will cover a variety of industries relevant to the HLEG recommendations, on non-state actors – including financial institutions, corporates and cities – and the specific policy areas relevant to their activity, including financial policy, corporate regulation and real economy policy. 

Taskforce Board of Trustees 

The strategic priorities for the Taskforce are defined by its Board of Trustees. The Board comprises senior leaders from international organisations and standard-setting bodies, representing a blend of public and private sector expertise. 

Co-chairs

• Helena Vines Fiestas, UN HLEG member, Chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance and Commissioner of the Spanish Financial Markets Authority 
• Andrea Meza Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 

Board 

• Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN-Secretary General´s High Level Expert Group on Net Zero Pledges of NSAs (UN HLEG) 
• Eric Usher, Head, United Nations Environment Program – Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
• Jingdong Hua, ISSB Vice Chair, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
• Mathilde Mesnard, Deputy Director for the Environment Directorate and OECD Co-ordinator for Climate and Green Finance
• Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary General, The Vulnerable 20 (V20) Group 
• Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 
• Irene Heemskerk, Counsel to the Executive Board, European Central Bank 

Secretary

• Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) 

Taskforce Expert Group 

The Taskforce Expert Group (TEG) includes both formally appointed representatives of organisations and individual experts contributing in a personal capacity. Together, they bring diverse perspectives from across regulatory environments and economic contexts. 

The following members are appointed to the TEG as a formal representative of their organisation/employer: 

• Dr Vaibhav Chaturvedi – Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
• Louise Helen Brown – Climate Vulnerable Forum, The Vulnerable 20 (V20) Group
• Marcelo Mena/Carolina Urmeneta – Global Methane Hub
• Mark Watts/Alice Cavanagh – C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
• Noelia Garcia Nebra – International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Prof Nick Robins – LSE Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change
• Prof Tom Hale/Prof Thom Wetzer – Oxford Net Zero Regulation and Policy Hub

The remaining TEG members are appointed in an individual capacity and not  as formal representatives of their organisations/employers:

• Alan Smith
• Bill Hare
• Camille Ammoun
• Catherine Leining
• Dave Jones
• Douglas Kativu
• Dr Olufunso Somorin
• Dr Olumide Abimbola
• Dr Svitlana Krakovska
• Elodie Feller
• Felipe de León Denegri
• Jane McDonald
• Malango Mughogho
• Uli Agustina
• Wang Xin
• Yukari Takamura  

Media

For media enquiries, please contact SEC Newgate UK at taskforceonnetzeropolicy@secnewgate.co.uk, or reach out to the PRI media team at conor.meade@unpri.org.