With its partners, Climate Group drives demand for net zero solutions, moving whole systems such as energy, transport, the built environment, industry and food towards a cleaner future.

Climate Group acts as the secretariat for the Under2 Coalition, the largest alliance of state and regional governments around the world that are committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero levels by 2050 or earlier.

Climate Group was founded in 2003 and launched in 2004 by Prime Minister Tony Blair, ex-CEO and co-founder, Steve Howard together with ex-Chief Operating Officer, Jim Walker and former Communications Director, Alison Lucas.

It evolved from research led by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and was established to encourage more major companies and subnational governments to take climate action.

Since its launch, Climate Group has worked constructively with businesses and subnational governments[1] to drive collective impact at scale and speed.

Hosted every September since 2009, the event brings together international leaders from business, government, and civil society to showcase global climate action.

The event takes place in Washington DC providing an action-led platform that drives measurable outcomes on climate policy and business action, with attendees at the heart of the agenda.

Climate Group consistently plays an active role in the COP process, largely through the work of the Under2 Coalition and its states and regions.

For example, Catalonia and California launched a global partnership for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change, Scotland committed to new funding for clean and reliable energy[3] in three African countries, and New South Wales published a series of policy compendium on nature-based solutions through the Net Zero Futures Policy Forum,[4] identifying examples of progress and best practice across Australia.

The secretariat also contributed to the Integrity Matters for Cities, States and Regions report,[5] which made recommendations for subnational governments to ensure their net zero goals have credibility, accountability and transparency.

Climate group brings together a global network of over 800 businesses, governments, and signatories working to maximise impact as a collective and deliver a just transition to a net zero future.

Its mission is to accelerate change towards zero carbon grids at scale and send a powerful demand signal to policymakers and investors to help address market challenges.

By harnessing members' collective purchasing power and influence, the programme sends a strong demand signal to shift global markets, investment and policies towards the sustainable production and sourcing of concrete.

In 2021, the original Under2 Memorandum of Understanding was revised by members of the Steering Group to align with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement.

[13] The Future Fund has helped to level the playing field in international climate discussions by ensuring participation of some of the most overlooked states and regions in the world.

Going forward, Climate Group aims to diversify the work and funding streams of this flagship project to scale up its impact and reach.