Race to Zero Report

Positive Impact is a Race to Zero Accelerator for event sector SME’s, however Positive Impact has also joined The Race to Zero.

Find who is in The Race to Zero

Visit the Global Climate Action website
Click on actor tracking
Under actor tracking write positiveimpactevents

Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial, educational, and healthcare institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions within this decade and deliver a healthier, fairer, zero carbon world in time to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

When signing up to The Race to Zero, the High-level Climate Champions, backed by the UNFCCC, require that the commitments brought forward by networks and initiatives recognized in the Race to Zero campaign meet a minimum set of common criteria.

“Starting Line” criteria define procedural steps for all actors in the Race to Zero

“Leadership Practices” define substantive areas where networks and initiatives must at least reach the current frontier of best practice, and indicate how leaders can push beyond it.

Networks and initiatives must satisfy both the Starting Line and Leadership Practices to join Race to Zero.

The following chart outlines how Positive Impact met starting line criteria when they began The Race to Zero in 2021:

Race to Zero Starting Line criteria	Basic Explanation of Starting Line Criteria	Basic Summary of Positive Impact
Pledge	Pledge at the head-of-organization level to reach (net) zero GHGs as soon as possible, and by midcentury at the latest, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. Set an interim target to achieve in the next decade, which reflects maximum effort toward or beyond a fair share of the 50% global reduction in CO2 by 2030 identified in the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C	- CEO level pledge to reach net zero GHGs as soon as possible - Goal to reach net zero by 2030
Plan	Within 12 months of joining, explain what actions will be taken toward achieving both interim and longer-term pledges, especially in the short- to medium-term.	- 10 actions identified and embedded into Positive Impact’s business plan
Proceed	Take immediate action toward achieving (net) zero, consistent with delivering interim targets specified.	- Action reviewed as part of a weekly team meeting
Publish	Commit to report publicly both progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as the actions being taken, at least annually. To the extent possible, report via platforms that feed into the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal.	- Annual Acceleration Action Report will show our progress and this report will be shared with UN Global Compact, UN SDG Action and via the reporting platform that feed into UNFCCC Global Climate Action portal.

From June 2022 there are new criteria in place for new applicants and existing members of Race to Zero will be expected to meet this criteria by June 2023.

Read the chart below to understand actions Positive Impact took to year end 2024:

Race to Zero Leadership Practices	Basic Explanation of Leadership Practices	Summary of Positive Impact actions
Pledge	Target absolute zero or net negative emissions Reduce emissions to absolute zero with no remaining residual emissions, or go further and ensure your activities remove more GHGs than they produce. See Lexicon for further details.	1. Measured with normative tool from SME Climate Hub to understand scope 1,2,3 is 14 tonnes and 100% scope 3. 2. Identified action to take so the engagement, education and collaboration PIE delivers includes information on how others can lower their emissions eg promoting and creating resources so over 160 event professionals are accessing free resources to lower their emissions.
	Adopt inclusive boundaries Widen the scope of your target to include cumulative emissions, especially where these are significant (for all actors) and / or consumption emissions (for cities, states, and regions). See Lexicon for further details	1. Used the normative tool which has been created to meet The Race to Zero requirements so no further action required
	Set twin targets for reductions and removals In addition to your emissions reductions targets, compensate for any unabated emissions year on year through investment in high quality carbon credits, disclose neutralisation milestones that demonstrate the integrity of commitments to neutralise unabated emissions and state how you plan to ultimately neutralise any residual emissions by 2050 through high-quality, permanent removals.	1. Based on using the normative tool we understand that the first approach we can take is to reduce and we may not need to act on removal. We will review this assumption every 12 months.
	Set specific targets for short-term reduction of methane and other GHGs Pledge to reduce methane emissions by at least 34% by 2030, in line with the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report, and make near-term pledges to reduce other high global warming potential GHG emissions.	1. Based on using the normative tool and undertaking a materiality exercise the only link to methane identified is through food purchasing 2. Choice of 80% plus vegetarian menu including for work travel, general refreshment choices and events.
	Protect nature Pledge to halt deforestation and protect biodiversity, making your activities consistent with climate resilient development. Pledge to make finance consistent with climate resilient development including ending deforestation and conversion of other natural ecosystems, and respecting biodiversity.	1. Undertook a materiality exercise to understand what actions were being taken that could impact on deforestation and biodiversity 2. Choosing a stationery supply who is FSC certified.
	Contribute to 2030 Breakthroughs Set sectoral targets in line with the 2030 Breakthroughs or more ambitious sector targets. For financial institutions, use sector-specific targets that drive emissions reductions and do not simply shift investment from high-emitting to low-emitting sectors.	1. Positive Impact feedback to the UNFCCC that the net zero carbon events roadmap Nov 2021 conversations of achieving net zero by 2050 was not ambitious enough based on commitments made through The Race to Zero Accelerator Programme 2. Positive Impact works across sport, culture and business events and there is not a sector target
Plan	Support a just transition Explain how you will support communities affected by both climate impacts and the climate transition, and strengthen their participation in achieving the global goal of halving emissions by 2030, seeking to address injustices and build towards a more equitable future.	1. Positive Impact deliver a 24 hour education initiative on World Peace Day (sept 21st) and this was a ‘pay what you can afford’ cost. This meant Positive Impact ambassadors in, for example Bolivia, were able to access education so they could be as informed and empowered as ambassadors in areas of the world where they can afford education budgets.
	Integrate nature Drawing on the Convention on Biological Diversity, integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.	1. Undertook a materiality exercise to understand what actions were being taken that could impact on deforestation and biodiversity 1. Encourage staff participation in local clean up schemes (e.g. canal clean up)
	Empower stakeholders Explain what actions you will take to empower other stakeholders in your community and beyond to achieve their own targets, embracing the spirit of radical collaboration. Include how you will support the Sustainable Development Goals. Identify in your plan how you will help build the resilience of, and drive funding to, developing countries to achieve a just, inclusive transition.	1. Positive impact has a global community of over 1600 event professionals from over 40 countries. In 2022/2023 they were empowered in the following ways: -Provided with toolkits to be part of UN SDG Action Campaign -Provided with 4 powerpoint over the year which they could share with their communities -Regularly given opportunities to be part of UN initiatives including: UN SDG Action Campaign and The Race to Zero The ability to become a Positive Impact Ambassador is free and available to anyone in any country. The resources shared are mainly free and when paid for a ‘pay what you can afford’ scheme was introduced in 2022
Proceed	Contribute beyond your own territory / value chain In addition to following a science-aligned net zero pathway to reduce your own emissions and neutralise any residual emissions that remain, contribute toward global (net) zero through beyond value chain / territorial mitigation efforts, such as the purchase and retirement of high-quality carbon credits (emission reductions, avoidance or removals) that do not substitute for nor delay emissions reductions necessary to meet the Pledge.	1. 100% of Positive Impact supply chain have been asked to join The Race to Zero 2. Over 1600 Positive Impact Ambassadors have been given resources to share with their value chain (which their value chain could also share) to join The Race to Zero. 3. As of 2024 a need has not been identified to purchase carbon credits.
	Prioritise emissions-intensive sectors Take immediate action to protect standing forests and avoid and reduce emissions in the most GHG-intensive activities and sectors, while not neglecting longer-term efforts. Align to the 2030 Breakthroughs sectoral targets.	1. Since 2022 Positive Impact prioritised energy and transport and declined invitations to attend global events where there was no clear evidence that the impact created would ‘offset’ the carbon caused by event travel. 2. Through Positive Impact’s role as a Race to Zero Accelerator attention was constantly paid to the sectoral targets and action being taken in those areas which could impact events.
	Scale up climate solutions Proactively grow activities that contribute to the achievement of global net zero, such as new technologies, business models, policy approaches, and community practices.	1. Positive Impact partnered with EventSustainability to create a beta system for understanding the sustainability issues (positive and negative) of an event 2. Positive Impact reached out to over 20 global universities to share resources for event students to become champions of credible sustainability initiatives including The Race to Zero Accelerator program for event sector SMEs 3. Positive Impact arranged a meeting with UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination 4. Positive Impact co created guidelines with Unicef UK on the consideration of human and child rights when planning an event.
	Empower your ecosystem Empower those in your ecosystem to implement Race to Zero plans, including through financing, capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and access to resources. In particular for financial institutions, scale-up investment in emerging markets and developing countries.	1. Positive Impact provided education and collaboration opportunities for the over 160 who made a Race to Zero commitment 1. Positive Impact provided education and collaboration opportunities for the over 1600 global Positive Impact Ambassadors
Publish	Report on progress in and beyond your value chain or territory Outline progress both regarding within-value-chain / territorial emissions reductions and investment made / action taken outside of your value chain / territory. Report on how you have allocated resources and capacities to achieve the short-term and longer-term targets.	1. Positive Impact have created guidance on how to report on progress and shared with the community of event SMEs who have joined The Race to Zero 2. Positive Impact created funding proposals to be able to train event sector media to understand sustainable event reporting
Persuade	Activate the ambition loop Proactively advocate for your peers, stakeholders, and governments to align their goals and actions to 1.5C. Demonstrate how the implementation of your own ambitious targets creates opportunities for others to follow.	1. Positive Impact arranged a meeting with UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination 2. Positive Impact provide education in the form of webinars with sustainability thought leaders 3. Positive Impact have collaborated with the event sector to share examples of best practice to inspire positive change
	Mainstream (net) zero alignment Advocate for appropriate regulation and facilitating measures to ensure that alignment to 1.5C becomes the default for all actors.	1. Positive Impact arranged a meeting with UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination
Starting Line for Persuade- Included because this is the most relevant for events	Within 12 months of joining, align external policy and engagement, including membership in associations, to the goal of halving emissions by 2030 and reaching global (net) zero by 2050.	Not relevant for Positive Impact as they are reporting on Leadership Practices, however Positive Impacts strategic approach is to transform the global event sector to align with this requirement so 100% of our leadership practices will advance this.

Commitments under the Race to Zero campaign are collected via leading networks and initiatives. The SME Climate Hub collects Positive Impact’s commitment because Positive Impact is an SME (and their commitment is registered via the Positive Impact website so it can be captured as part of the event sector supply chain).

Positive Impact Events CEO states:

“In a recent conversation with Sir David King he encouraged the Positive Impact team to talk about ‘going beyond’ net zero because that is what the planet needs. We committed to this approach and for Positive Impact we have pledged to reach net zero GHGs as soon as possible, by the latest 2030.”

Using the normative reporting tool (available through the SME Climate Hub) Positive Impact was able to use our annual accounts to work out our carbon footprint through our business spend.

Our carbon footprint from September 2021-2022 was 14 CO2 tonnes and 100% was scope 3 emissions.

We committed to the following 10 actions to go beyond net zero:

Acting to increase the number of event sector SME’s with net zero commitments within The Race to Zero as a Race to Zero Accelerator
Using public transport including biking and walking
Asking and choosing our supply chain based on their approach to lowering carbon emissions
Using renewable energy tariffs
Until 2023 requesting to speak virtually at every event we are asked to speak at. Since September 2022 we have been asked to speak at over 20 global events.
Only speaking at events which have put in place steps to address the carbon emissions caused by travel to the event.
Translating The Race to Zero materials to be suitable to support the event sector
Speaking to global event sector media and associations about the free resources available to support the event sector to reduce their carbon emissions
Sharing best practice through the ‘Share a Positive Impact’ campaign and as a UN SDG Action Campaign Mobiliser
Speaking up, asking inconvenient questions and being a voice within the event sector which explores how events can be used to advance the world’s net zero commitments.

We expect there to be new opportunities for action and in our weekly team meeting we will explore new openings, conversations, collaborations or connections which could advance Positive Impact’s goal to go beyond net zero and our goal to support the global event sector to transform to a low carbon sector and be recognised as part of the solution to a world achieving net zero goals.

In 2024 our carbon footprint was 4.31 CO2 tonnes.

In 2025 our Race to Zero Plan is:

Race to Zero Leadership Practices	Basic Explanation of Leadership Practices	Summary of Positive Impact actions
Pledge	Target absolute zero or net negative emissions. Reduce emissions to absolute zero with no remaining residual emissions, or go further and ensure your activities remove more GHGs than they produce. See Lexicon for further details.	1. Use the new SME measurement tool provided by SME Climate Hub 2. Continue to provide resources to the global event sector so they know how to measure and reduce. 3. Continue to trial, innovate and advance new low carbon business models including EventSustainability and The Pavilion for People 4. Tell the story of best practice to the global event sector
	Adopt inclusive boundaries. Widen the scope of your target to include cumulative emissions, especially where these are significant (for all actors) and / or consumption emissions (for cities, states, and regions). See Lexicon for further details	1. Use the new SME measurement tool provided by SME Climate Hub 2.Continue to identify best practice approach for SMEs to measure
	Set twin targets for reductions and removals. In addition to your emissions reductions targets, compensate for any unabated emissions year on year through investment in high quality carbon credits, disclose neutralisation milestones that demonstrate the integrity of commitments to neutralise unabated emissions and state how you plan to ultimately neutralise any residual emissions by 2050 through high-quality, permanent removals.	1. Based on using the normative tool we understand that the first approach we can take is to reduce and we may not need to act on removal. We will review this assumption every 12 months.
	Set specific targets for short-term reduction of methane and other GHGs. Pledge to reduce methane emissions by at least 34% by 2030, in line with the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report, and make near-term pledges to reduce other high global warming potential GHG emissions.	1. Based on using the normative tool and undertaking a materiality exercise the only link to methane identified is through food purchasing 2. Choice of 90% plus vegetarian menu including for work travel, general refreshment choices and events.
	Protect nature. Pledge to halt deforestation and protect biodiversity, making your activities consistent with climate resilient development. Pledge to make finance consistent with climate resilient development including ending deforestation and conversion of other natural ecosystems, and respecting biodiversity.	1. Undertook a materiality exercise to understand what actions were being taken that could impact on deforestation and biodiversity 2. Choosing a stationery supply who is FSC certified. 3. Start to profile nature solutions within the awareness raising Positive Impact takes action on.
	Contribute to 2030 Breakthroughs. Set sectoral targets in line with the 2030 Breakthroughs or more ambitious sector targets. For financial institutions, use sector-specific targets that drive emissions reductions and do not simply shift investment from high-emitting to low-emitting sectors.	1. Continue to feedback to UNFCCC, Industry press, government bodies and other leaders examples of greenwash in the global event sector 2. Champion initiatives like Net Zero Carbon events being credible and part of The Race to Zero initiative 3. Continue to champion the impact an event sector carbon target could have because Positive Impact works across sport, culture and business events and there is not a sector target
Plan	Support a just transition. Explain how you will support communities affected by both climate impacts and the climate transition, and strengthen their participation in achieving the global goal of halving emissions by 2030, seeking to address injustices and build towards a more equitable future.	1. Use The Pavilion for People so all voices can be heard (without the need to travel to a specific location) Continue to collaborate with refugee communities on activations alongside major events such as COP 2. Use the ISO 20121:2024 annex on considering human and child rights when planning and delivering an event. 3. Continue to provide low cost and free resources EG ISO 20121:2024 toolkit in association with BSI and Positive Impact ambassadors presentation resources so ambassadors in the global south are able to access education so they could be as informed and empowered as ambassadors in areas of the world where they can afford education budgets.
	Integrate nature. Drawing on the Convention on Biological Diversity, integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.	1. Use The Pavilion for People to champion nature solutions 2. Encourage staff participation in local clean up schemes (e.g. canal clean up) 3. Include nature best practice reference in Positive Impact education resources
	Empower stakeholders. Explain what actions you will take to empower other stakeholders in your community and beyond to achieve their own targets, embracing the spirit of radical collaboration. Include how you will support the Sustainable Development Goals. Identify in your plan how you will help build the resilience of, and drive funding to, developing countries to achieve a just, inclusive transition.	1. Positive impact has a global community of over 2000 event professionals from over 60 countries.The Pavilion for People had over 14,000 visits in 2024. In 2025/2026 these communities will be empowered in the following ways: -Provided with toolkits to implement best practice -Provided with powerpoint over the year which they could share with their communities -Regularly given opportunities to be part of UN initiatives including: UN SDG Action Campaign and The Race to Zero The ability to become a Positive Impact Ambassador is free and available to anyone in any country.
Proceed	Contribute beyond your own territory / value chain. In addition to following a science-aligned net zero pathway to reduce your own emissions and neutralise any residual emissions that remain, contribute toward global (net) zero through beyond value chain / territorial mitigation efforts, such as the purchase and retirement of high-quality carbon credits (emission reductions, avoidance or removals) that do not substitute for nor delay emissions reductions necessary to meet the Pledge.	1. 100% of Positive Impact supply chain have been asked to join The Race to Zero 2. Over 2000 Positive Impact Ambassadors have been given resources to share with their value chain (which their value chain could also share) to join The Race to Zero. 3. Creation of toolkits that event organisers can use to help their supply chain join The Race to Zero and implement ISO 20121 4.As of 2024 a need has not been identified to purchase carbon credits.
	Prioritise emissions-intensive sectors. Take immediate action to protect standing forests and avoid and reduce emissions in the most GHG-intensive activities and sectors, while not neglecting longer-term efforts. Align to the 2030 Breakthroughs sectoral targets.	1.Since 2022 Positive Impact prioritised energy and transport and declined invitations to attend global events where there was no clear evidence that the impact created would ‘offset’ the carbon caused by event travel. 2. Through Positive Impact’s role as a Race to Zero Accelerator attention was constantly paid to the sectoral targets and action being taken in those areas which could impact events. 3. Starting in 2023 Positive Impact began to provide a carbon reducing option for major events like COP in the form of The Pavilion for People https://www.thepavilionforpeople.com/
	Scale up climate solutions. Proactively grow activities that contribute to the achievement of global net zero, such as new technologies, business models, policy approaches, and community practices.	1. Positive Impact partnered with EventSustainability to create a beta system for understanding the sustainability issues (positive and negative) of an event. In 2024 this was launched as a 2nd version MVP and development funding was applied for. 2. Positive Impact reached out to over 20 global universities to share resources for event students to become champions of credible sustainability initiatives including The Race to Zero Accelerator program for event sector SMEs 3. Positive Impact continued conversations at government level and with policy influencing partners such as BSI with the goal of supporting UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination 4. Positive Impact co created guidelines with Unicef UK on the consideration of human and child rights when planning an event which are now included as an annex in ISO 20121:2024 which was first used at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. 5. Starting in 2023 Positive Impact began to provide a carbon reducing option for major events like COP in the form of The Pavilion for People https://www.thepavilionforpeople.com/
	Empower your ecosystem. Empower those in your ecosystem to implement Race to Zero plans, including through financing, capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and access to resources. In particular for financial institutions, scale-up investment in emerging markets and developing countries.	1. Positive Impact provide education and collaboration opportunities for the over 170 who made a Race to Zero commitment 2. Positive Impact provide education and collaboration opportunities for the over 2000 global Positive Impact Ambassadors 3. Positive Impact launched The Pavilion for People which was used by partners including The Race to Zero community instead of traveling to major events like COP or NY Climate Week 4. Positive Impact regularly provided free and low cost capacity building opportunities
Publish	Report on progress in and beyond your value chain or territory. Outline progress both regarding within-value-chain / territorial emissions reductions and investment made / action taken outside of your value chain / territory. Report on how you have allocated resources and capacities to achieve the short-term and longer-term targets.	1. Positive Impact have created a virtual platform to share best practice on reporting 2. Positive Impact continue to promote their best practice sharing initiative ‘share a positive impact’ and empower the global event sector to participate 3. Positive Impact report according to UNGC and RTZ requirements
Persuade	Activate the ambition loop. Proactively advocate for your peers, stakeholders, and governments to align their goals and actions to 1.5C. Demonstrate how the implementation of your own ambitious targets creates opportunities for others to follow.	1. Positive Impact continued conversations at government level and with policy influencing partners such as BSI with the goal of supporting UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination 2. Positive Impact provide capacity building in the form of webinars with sustainability thought leaders and best practice examples. 3. Positive Impact collaborate with the event sector to share examples of best practice to inspire positive change. For example during Earth Day, World Environment Day, International Womens Day and World Peace Day.
	Mainstream (net) zero alignment. Advocate for appropriate regulation and facilitating measures to ensure that alignment to 1.5C becomes the default for all actors.	1. Positive Impact continued conversations at government level and with policy influencing partners such as BSI with the goal of supporting UK gov to advance the idea of UK leadership as a low carbon event destination 2. Positive Impact continued to communicate when event sector industry initiatives on carbon do not meet RTZ criteria and could be described as greenwash
Starting Line for Persuade- Included because this is the most relevant for events	Within 12 months of joining, align external policy and engagement, including membership in associations, to the goal of halving emissions by 2030 and reaching global (net) zero by 2050.	Not relevant for Positive Impact as they are reporting on Leadership Practices, however Positive Impact's strategic approach is to transform the global event sector to align with this requirement so 100% of our leadership practices will advance this.