Net-Zero Government Initiative

Through the Net-Zero Government Initiative (NZGI), countries are leading by example to achieve net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050. NZGI partners are taking action in recognition of government sustainability's critical role in catalyzing economy-wide shifts to reach country-level and global climate targets.

What Is the NZGI Commitment?

Participants commit to:

• Achieving net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050;
• Publishing a roadmap that outlines the pathway for achieving the net-zero commitment, considering the country's individual context, and identifying interim targets as appropriate.

Why Is a Zero-Emissions Goal for Government Operations Important?

National governments are frequently the largest employers, electricity consumers, vehicle fleet owners, real estate holders, and purchasers of goods and services in their countries. Governments committing and acting to reduce their own emissions can play a pivotal role in accelerating economy-wide actions, driving zero-carbon technologies and markets, and lowering decarbonization costs across all sectors.

Many countries are already taking steps to green their government operations by transitioning to clean vehicle fleets, advancing energy efficient and sustainable government buildings, expanding carbon-free electricity for government operations, pursuing resilience and nature-based solutions, and advancing sustainable public procurement policies.

Who is Leading by Example through NZGI?

Current NZGI members include Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the European Commission on behalf of the European Union (pertains to Commission operations only), Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Where Can I Find NZGI Roadmaps?

Current roadmaps are listed below:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• European Commission on behalf of the European Union
• Finland
• Germany
• Ireland
• Israel
• Japan
• Lithuania
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United Kingdom
• United States

How Can Countries Join NZGI?

All countries are invited to participate in the Net-Zero Government Initiative by agreeing to all three elements of the NZGI commitment. Interested countries may contact sustainability@ceq.eop.gov for more information.

What Are the Origins of NZGI?

The United States and 18 other inaugural members announced NZGI at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27). Read the Net-Zero Government Initiative Declaration.