ClimeFi is pleased to share that it has published the first edition of ‘The Guide to Corporate Net-Zero Claims’.
Corporate net-zero claims face growing scrutiny: guidance currently stems from both government regulation and civil society frameworks, leaving the landscape complex and, at times, contradictory.
The new report provides a clear, user-friendly resource for companies that are looking to understand what net-zero commitments must look like in practice, how carbon removals can be correctly leveraged to meet these commitments, what remains unresolved, and what corporates can do about it.
Three key trends point to convergence
Our white paper identifies three key trends that point to convergence across frameworks:
- Governments are defining what net zero means. Switzerland, for example, has published a full suite of prescriptive net-zero guidance, while the UK has consulted on regulating and supporting the VCM. The EU's Green Claims Directive has been withdrawn, however, leaving a gap.
- Civil society frameworks are aligning. SBTi, ISO, VCMI, and the Oxford Principles increasingly agree on key principles: deep emissions reductions first, then durable carbon removals to address residual emissions – with procurement starting well before the net-zero year.
- Generic claims are being restricted. The EU is banning unsubstantiated "climate neutral" (and similar) claims from September 2026. Switzerland already enforces these restrictions, and the UK is tightening substantiation requirements.
What this means for corporates
Where regulation and civil society frameworks diverge, regulation should always steer decision making. Aligning early with regulatory requirements is the closest thing to a safe harbour against legal challenge.
Demand for high-quality durable carbon removal will also increase. Companies that begin procuring early will be better positioned to access the supply they need.
