ISO workshop on defining the «Net-Zero Guiding Principles»

Background
The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted on 12 December 2015 at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris by all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and provides for limiting global warming to well below 2°C compared to preindustrial levels. [1] Global warming is already having an above-average effect in Switzerland, with varying degrees of impact depending on the region. The National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS) published the report «Climate Change in the Swiss Can- tons» on 16 November 2021. This report identifies four foreseeable consequences of unchecked global warming for Switzerland. (Emissions scenario RCP8.5, no climate protection) [2, 3].
• Dry summers
• More heat days
• Snow-scarce winters
• Heavy precipitation

The most recently published scientific opinion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that many of the worst consequences of climate change could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5°C. To achieve this, global anthropogenic (man-made) emissions would have to reach net-zero by 2050. However, it is not always clear what net-zero means in practice for state (e.g. nations and countries) and non-state actors (e.g. companies, charities, educational and financial institutions, regions and cities).

Clarification of the term «net-zero»
The International Standards Organization (ISO) is aware of the urgency and is organizing an international workshop on the definition of the «Net-Zero Guiding Principles» (IWA 42). The aim of the «Net-Zero Guiding Principles» is to support voluntary initiatives, standards and national and international goals. The Guiding Principles should include [4]:
1. the definition of (sub-planetary) net-zero and related concepts;
2. guidelines on how the net-zero approach should be integrated into initiatives, strategies, policies and procedures; and
3. the basis for accountability mechanisms and measurements, as well as the development of consistent
indicators that enable consistent reporting and communication.

Document: IWA 42 on «Net-Zero Guiding Principles»
Session 1: 13 July 2022, 9 a.m. to 12 noon CET
Session 2: 13 July 2022, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CET
Location: virtual online workshop
Please visit our2050.world to register and receive up-to-date information, including relevant research and documentation.

Sources:
[1] T. I. P. o. C. Change | The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[2] N. C. f. C. S. NCCS | Klimaextreme
[3] N. C. f. C. S. NCCS | Klimaextreme
[4] M. Rossi | IWA on Net-Zero Guiding Principles ISO