Budapest, January 18, 2021: The Net Zero Advisory Board has been formed in a uniquely wide collaboration with renowned experts, the primary goal of which is to promote and accelerate the process by which the Hungarian economy can become carbon neutral by 2050, thus taking an important step to stop climate change.

The Advisory Board is a cross-sectoral collaboration, consisting of representatives of Hungarian industry and business leaders, chambers of commerce and associations, was set up as the initiative of the British Embassy and the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH).

Members of the Net Zero Advisory Board:

Zsombor Barta (HUGBC – Hungary Green Building Council)

Dr. Gábor Bartus (NCSD – National Council for Sustainable Development)

Attila Chikán Jr. (BCSDH – Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary)

Paul Fox (British ambassador)

Anikó Juhász (Ministry of Agriculture)

Csaba Kőrösi (Directorate for Environmental Sustainability of the Office of the President)

Marcell Kovács (MLBKT – Hungarian Association of Logistics, Purchasing and Inventory Management)

Prof. Dr. Diána Ürge-Vorsatz (IPCC –Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, HUPCC- Hungarian Panel on Climate Change)

The aim of the alliance is to increase the focus on the transition to a carbon-neutral economy among economic, governmental and social actors. To help with the process, a decision was made to conduct a research to map the current state, and to organise a Race to Zero Forum to present the results.

On 1 November the United Nations’ 26th Climate Change Conference will open in Glasgow, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy. This remaining year of preparation for COP26 must also take on board the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At COP26, we must unite the world on a path to a zero carbon economy as we build back greener from COVID-19”– highlighted Paul Fox British ambassador, who is one of the few initiating the board.

“All companies are affected by climate change and all companies have the opportunity to influence it positively. Stabilizing global warming under 2, but preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius requires the radical reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. Transitioning our economy first to low-carbon, then carbon-neutral by 2050 is the way to achieve this objective. Businesses will play a key role in this process. Is there a better time to start it than now?” – added Attila Chikán Jr., president of BCSDH, founder and member of the Advisory Board.

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Race to Zero

The Race to Zero is the UN-led campaign for a zero-carbon world. 1,128 businesses including the likes of Facebook, Tesco, LafargeHolcim and Magyar Telekom, and 45 of the biggest investors have joined the global Race to Zero campaign, along with over 450 cities and 550 universities. Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors have a clear role to play in climate action, in line with the Paris Agreement and in the lead-up to the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. 

Over the coming years, every sector in every market will be transformed as the transition to a low-carbon economy is underway. Committing to the Race to Zero goals of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is also taking the steps necessary to protect and grow your business by reducing costs, by enhancing access to investor capital, by staying ahead of policies and regulations to limit GHG emissions, by increasing your business’ preparedness to external shocks, and by leading on tomorrow’s innovation and transformation.

For more information on the Race to Zero campaign prior to the event, please turn to the campaign’s global website, which provides information on the paths available for joining the campaign, including the Science Based Targets initiative, and the SME Climate Hub.