Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, the British Embassy and the British Chamber of Commerce will launch the Race to Zero in Slovakia campaign on 18 March at a virtual event to inspire businesses to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.

We are honoured that “The Race to Zero in Slovakia: Business”, will be opened by Zuzana Čaputová, President of the Slovak Republic. Mr Nigel Topping, UK High Level Champion for Climate Action, will also speak.  We are also pleased by the number and variety of businesses wanting to be part of the event and taking part in discussion panels, debating net zero future in automotive sector, circular economy, financing or the role of SMEs.  

The science is clear: we must urgently scale up action to respond to the threat of climate change to have a chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.

The Race to Zero is a global UN initiative, backed by science-based targets, for businesses, cities, regions, investors and universities to make meaningful commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the very latest. The Race to Zero campaign can help pave the way for a green economic recovery after the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses play a vital role in supporting government efforts to meet commitments to the Paris Agreement. Slovakia has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and significant action will need to be taken from across society to meet this goal. And that’s where the Race to Zero comes in! The conference’s objective is to build momentum and share ideas and experience between British and Slovakia-based businesses around the shift to a decarbonized economy.

The British Ambassador, Nigel Baker said: “Tackling climate change is everyone’s responsibility. The Race to Zero is a chance for organisations from across society to publicly commit to take action. I am honoured that President Caputova will open this event. Her leadership on this issue serves as an example to the whole region.”

The Board of the British Chamber of Commerce said, “We are partnering with the British Embassy to host a transformative event to help businesses to get on the path to green recovery. Despite difficult times caused by Covid-19 businesses can lead the way to a sustainable and profitable future”.

Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce, Hajnalka Hayler, said, “Our Chamber was the first (but I hope definitely not the last!) to join the race to zero campaign from Slovakia via the International Chamber of Commerce initiative because we firmly believe that climate action is everyone’s business”.

Note for Editors:

“The Race to Zero in Slovakia: Business”: 18th March 2021, 9:00-13:00 CET

The event will be interpreted into Slovak.

Registration (link)

Program (link)