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Apr 11, 2025, 4:51:32 PM4/11/25

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UN Climate Change – Global Climate Action

09 April 2025

Climate High-Level Champions'

Newsletter

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Dan Ioschpe will lead as COP 30 Climate High-Level Champion

President Lula and Dan Ioschpe, High-Level Climate Champion for COP 30. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / Brazilian Presidency

Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has announced the selection of entrepreneur Dan Ioschpe as the Climate High-Level Champion for the COP 30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, in November. Ioschpe will support the COP 30 Presidency in the Global Climate Action Agenda, leading efforts to expand and enhance climate action and voluntary commitments, initiatives, and coalitions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

"I hope to be able to support the COP 30 Presidency in advancing climate action, including the energy transition, essential for socio-economic development worldwide and of even greater importance for Brasil, given its potential to accelerate this agenda. Always involving the broadest range of actors in society and taking advantage of the different initiatives and opportunities," said Ioschpe.

Iochpe is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ioschpe-Maxion and a member of Brazilian companies WEG, Marcopolo, and Embraer. He is one of the Vice Presidents of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo — (Fiesp), and he led the Business 20 — (B20) during Brazil's G20 Presidency in 2024.

In carrying out this role, the High-Level Champion will be supported by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched at COP 22 in 2016 to support the engagement of different actors in implementing climate action.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) said:

"I warmly welcome Dan Ioschpe as the Climate High-Level Champion for COP 30. His experience in the business sector will be instrumental in driving the transformative change needed to keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach.

“As we accelerate climate action, his ability to unite key stakeholders will be crucial in strengthening voluntary efforts by the private sector and scaling up solutions. I look forward to working with him to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and deliver meaningful progress on the road to COP 30."

The new Climate High-Level Champion works on behalf of the incoming COP 30 President to engage in ongoing dialogue with the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and other stakeholders to align the framework of the COP 30 Action Agenda with the implementation of the Paris Agreement, especially the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) presented at COP 28 and countries' NDCs (or national climate plans).

As per COP mandate, Ioschpe is appointed for a two-year term. Until the end of COP 30, he will work with Nigar Arpadarai, Climate High-Level Champion of the COP 29 Presidency of Azerbaijan who said:

"I am eager to welcome the COP 30 High-Level Climate Champion as we accelerate progress from Baku to Belém. I look forward to building a strong and impactful partnership with Dan Ioschpe, working side-by-side with our global partnership network to accelerate ambitious climate action with businesses, cities, and communities worldwide.”

In a recent letter calling for bold climate action on the road to Belém, COP 30 President-Designate Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago invited governments, businesses, and communities to join a global ‘mutirão’—a Portuguese word from Indigenous Tupi-Guarani language that reflects collective effort toward a common goal. He positioned COP 30 as a potential turning point in the climate fight, urging coordinated action across all sectors to boost ambition and implementation this critical decade.

“Together we can make COP 30 the moment we turn the game around,” he writes, calling for alignment from local to global levels, from markets to knowledge systems.

Translated versions of the statement: Portuguese | Spanish

Scaling Trust in Net Zero: How ISO is Unlocking Climate Credibility

Guest interview: Noelia Garcia Nebra, Head of Sustainability and Partnerships, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

As the world races to achieve net zero emissions, defining what ‘good net zero’ looks like has been a crucial challenge. Without clear benchmarks, inconsistent claims risk undermining credibility and slowing real progress. Over the past few years, significant strides have been made to strengthen integrity in net zero action.

The Race to Zero campaign took a major step in 2020 by establishing robust criteria to define high-integrity net zero commitments. Meanwhile, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) advanced net zero guidelines to help companies align their strategies with science, launching the Corporate Net-Zero Standard in 2021 ahead of COP 26.

Building on this momentum and growing demand for clarity on clear, credible net zero criteria to be reflected in global governance, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) convened over 1,200 experts from more than 100 countries in 2022 to develop the ISO Net Zero Guidelines. For the first time, these guidelines integrated net zero criteria into the international standards system, providing an end-to-end set of principles and recommendations.

Launched at COP 27 with the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, this milestone marked a significant step in scaling global accountability. This work was further reinforced by the UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group, which in 2022, launched the Integrity Matters report, setting further guardrails against greenwashing.

Building on these efforts, ISO is converting the ISO Net Zero Guidelines into an international standard: The ISO Net Zero Standard - a global international standard designed to scale credible, comparable, and verifiable net zero commitments. The International Standard is expected to pave the way for a stronger, more enabling policy and regulatory environment for corporate decarbonisation, levelling the playing field and increasing investment.

We spoke with Noelia Garcia Nebra, Head of Sustainability and Partnerships at ISO on the status of the upcoming International Standard, its potential to foster trust in green supply chains, and support climate policy.

Why is ISO creating the Net Zero Standard?

“Net zero is our strongest tool against the climate crisis - as a scientific framework to curb greenhouse gases, while offering myriad economic, social and health advantages.

But, if you ask business leaders, “What does net zero mean?” you may receive a variety of answers. As a result, not all net zero targets are created equal. But, the good news is that net zero standards now converge on the fundamental definitions of net zero.

The ISO Net Zero Guidelines were launched at COP 27 to guide organizations in setting net zero strategies. And the forthcoming ISO Net Zero Standard will further solidify this common global framework, helping organizations to set meaningful decarbonisation targets.

This, in turn, will encourage green supply chains, unleash innovation, and unlock trade in net zero products and services - which are all pivotal mechanisms for tackling climate change.

How will the ISO Net Zero Standard build trust in green supply chains and prevent greenwashing?

Net zero is a corporate norm. Today nearly 60% of the largest global corporations have set net zero targets or pledges. But a key reason that corporate emissions are still rising is that more than three quarters of corporate climate commitments do not include scope 3, or supply chain emissions. The majority of corporate emissions footprints - up to 95% - are scope 3. Yet, most businesses are not ‘grasping the nettle’ by measuring, and reducing value chain emissions.

To progress, companies must exchange reliable comparable information and data on progress against their climate plans. An international standard that all companies can adhere to will ensure that firms are all speaking the same language when it comes to decarbonisation. Through a consistent, standardized approach global supply chains can move forward faster, as one, unlocking stronger action.

Currently, most net zero commitments are voluntary, leaving space for inconsistencies and proliferation of different metric frameworks. Voluntary frameworks such as the SBTi certify corporate net zero pledges and interim targets, while Race to Zero partner initiatives like Exponential Roadmap conduct their own assessments to uphold ambition and integrity.

The ISO Net Zero Standard will complement these efforts by introducing a globally recognized international standard for third-party verification, ensuring that net zero claims can be rigorously and independently validated.

By scaling credibility and transparency, the ISO Net Zero Standard can cement trust in net zero commitments from businesses’ investors, regulators, employees, and consumers. It will also support efforts to cut embodied carbon in products, from cars to clean energy technologies—reinforcing alignment between voluntary frameworks and international standards to drive progress.

This is an excerpt, the full interview can be found here.

Global Call: Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Contributions

Credit: fellipe-ditadi-3tW9qaHaO94-unsplash.jpg

Ahead of COP 28 in Dubai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, launched the Global Data Study for Indigenous Peoples' Climate Contributions - to highlight the broad scope of Indigenous Peoples-led climate action.

Under the leadership of H.E. Al Mubarak and The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the ELATIA Consortium and Climate High-Level Champions the project has hit an exciting new milestone - an open call for submissions.

The project now calls for case studies and data from across the seven socio-cultural regions to highlight the climate efforts led by Indigenous Peoples and territorial communities, which can contribute to policy development and climate change adaptation.

Do you have a story, data, or an Indigenous Peoples-led project that demonstrates resilience, sustainability, or adaptation in the face of climate change?

Find out more about how to submit a case study or data here.

Roadmap for Nature Finance Agreed at UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16)

At the resumed UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) talks in Rome last month, countries agreed on a roadmap to mobilize funding from a variety of sources to close the USD 200 billion per year biodiversity funding gap and achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In addition, the Cali Fund was launched to mobilize funding from the private sector, 50% of which will be allocated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including women and youth.

For the first time, a high-level dialogue between Finance and Environment Ministers was established, advancing the commitment to promote the global biodiversity agenda. Further, a consultation and knowledge sharing process between the three Rio Conventions, covering climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss will be established in 2025 to increase synergies.

Non-State actors have mobilised over 600 businesses and financial institutions, including USD 17.7 trillion in assets as part of Nature Positive for Climate Action call to action. This includes commitments to risk management and reporting aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

All Eyes on ‘MEPC 83’: Shipping's Zero-Emission Crossroads

The Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG, 19th session) at IMO HQ (31-3-25). Credit: IMO.

The global shipping sector—responsible for moving 90% of world trade and around 3% of annual greenhouse gas emissions—is preparing for a pivotal moment. This week, global leaders will gather at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ‘MEPC 83’ meeting to agree on the regulatory text for the sector’s transition to zero-emission fuels.

Non-State actors—including businesses, investors, ports, and cargo owners—are urging national governments to act decisively, balancing climate ambition with fairness and equity. From Africa to Latin America, countries are eyeing new opportunities to become major producers of zero-emission fuels, such as green hydrogen.

More than 50 leaders across the entire shipping value chain—including e-fuel producers, vessel and cargo owners, ports, and equipment manufacturers—signed a ‘Green Shipping Call to Action’ at COP 29 in Azerbaijan last November. Their message was clear:

governments should act decisively to support the transition to zero-emission fuels.

First movers are already demonstrating what’s possible:

● The green ammonia-powered ship, Green Pioneer , currently moored in London. By bringing their vessel to the UK now, Fortescue, an Australian technology, metals and energy group, sent a clear message: the technology for zero-emission shipping exists today—what’s needed is the regulatory certainty and investment to scale these types of solutions.

● The Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), whose members include cargo owners such as Amazon, IKEA and Mondelez, recently opened a tender to stimulate the first commercial deployment of green-fuels. The scheme aims to aggregate demand for at least 86 billion nautical miles of green fuel-powered container shipping, starting in 2027.

A strong outcome at MEPC 83 would send a clear market signal: international shipping is serious about decarbonisation. With the right policy signals and investment, the transition to zero-emission fuels can unlock resilience, innovation, and growth—especially for developing economies - ready to fuel the future.

Race to Resilience update:

Race to Resilience Welcomes 42nd Partner

The Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC), a Uganda-based non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for environmental policies to benefit the most vulnerable, has joined the Race to Resilience.

Center for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)

Through lobbying, research, and education, CECIC works with communities and leaders to ensure that natural resources drive equitable development, support environmental conservation, and uphold human rights.

Race to Resilience Partners Advancing Adaptation Action

Multi-country restoration initiative, Acción Andina achieved a raft of key milestones, in its efforts to restore high-Andean ecosystems, during the final quarter of 2024.

● The organisation planted 1.25 million native trees in Peru in 2024, including a record-setting 150,000 in a single day, with co-founder ECOAN planting its one-millionth tree since joining the initiative.

● Their efforts to protect water and conserve ecosystems led to 15 new conservation agreements signed and expanded school-based water conservation programs.

Ecosystem restoration underway in the Andes. Credit: Accion Andina

● Over 300 individuals participated in leadership training workshops, including the First International Meeting of Acción Andina Technicians in Peru.

● Additionally, 2,500 people were trained in wildfire prevention, and 45 km of fencing was installed to protect critical habitats, with ECOAN and Fundación Bosquizar leading fire prevention and patrols in reforested areas.

Learn more about Acción Andina’s progress here.

Nature-based Solutions initiative, Scale for Resilience, in partnership with IDB Lab and Global Affairs Canada, launched the Innovative Resilience Finance and Adaptation Approaches for the Caribbean. The white paper presents real-world case studies of climate finance solutions in the Caribbean, and the Digital Tools and Solutions for Resilience Finance: A Caribbean Context , showcasing the role of digitization to advance resilience finance for Small Island Developing States.

The International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure , in partnership with the Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s Foresight Review on Nature-Positive Engineering (NPE), is seeking input to define the future of NPE. The goal is to shift engineering practices to integrate ecology at the outset of projects and throughout their lifecycle, particularly in coastal and marine environments, emphasizing coastal protection, offshore renewable energy, and ports and shipping.

For World Social Justice Day, Build Change launched the whitepaper Housing Justice and Disaster Resilience: Addressing the Disproportionate Impact of Disasters on the World’s Poor. The paper highlights the urgent need to integrate housing justice principles into disaster- and climate-resilient housing programs.

The Race to Resilience Culture (RTRC) initiative, led by the Climate Heritage Network, ICLEI USA and ICLEI Africa, aims to strengthen climate and community resilience by integrating cultural and heritage-based strategies across 15 cities in the United States and 15 cities across Africa. Launched at COP 29, RTRC focuses on advancing equity and increasing engagement with underserved and underrepresented communities.

Participants will receive a 12 month training programme featuring culture, heritage and climate subject matter experts. To enhance peer-to-peer learning, knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange the participants are ‘paired’ with another city. This initiative is part of the ‘Imagining Low Carbon, Just, Climate Resilient Futures through Culture and Heritage’ Project, in partnership with the Climate Heritage Network. More information can be found here.

The Climate Innovation for Adaptation and Resilience (CIFAR) Alliance launched its 2024 Annual Report, which captures its journey in expanding the network, now with 24 members advancing climate finance solutions to build resilience in vulnerable communities. Through initiatives like the TECA Venture Launcher and the CIFAR Innovation Ecosystem Playbook, CIFAR has strengthened global collaboration across Africa, Latin America, and beyond.

Race to Zero Update:

Partner Updates

Planet Mark Launches Net Zero Certification Programme

Planet Mark recently launched its Net Zero Certification Programme, designed to future-proof businesses, strengthen supply chains, attract customers, investors and talent and drive competitive advantage.

Planet Mark’s programme guides organisations through four certified milestones:

Level 1: Business: Supporting you to measure your full carbon footprint.

Level 2: Net Zero Committed: Expert guidance for your transition to net zero.

Level 3: Net Zero Aligned: Tracking your progress towards net zero.

Level 4: Net Zero Achieved: Achieving and maintaining net zero.

Help Shape the Future of Corporate Net Zero Standards

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has recently published an initial draft of its revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard for public consultation. The draft standard aims to accelerate corporate decarbonization by setting out a science-based, innovative and pragmatic framework that enables more businesses worldwide to join the 3,000 with net zero targets or which have committed to set them.

The revised Standard is informed by the latest climate science, regulation, and recognized standards and frameworks, as well as feedback from businesses about what they need to achieve the collective ambition of a net-zero future.

The public consultation runs until Sunday 1 June, giving stakeholders the chance to shape a framework that delivers real-world progress and ensures corporate net zero strategies are ambitious, effective, and scalable. Stakeholders can find more information on SBTi’s Consultation Webpage.

○ Register for Session 1: 9:00 AM (GMT) / 10:00 AM (CET) / 4:00 PM (HKT)

○ Register for Session 2: 10:00 AM (ET) / 3:00 PM (GMT) / 4:00 PM (CET)