--- title: "Signals Amidst the Noise: April 28, 2021" description: We curate updates on government, finance and corporate net zero news weekly from the world’s media. Here is today’s update. image: https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/banners/GlobalOptimism_SiteBanners_83.jpg --- ![Outrage + Optimism logomark](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/OutrageOptimism_LogomarkOnly_White.svg)Outrage + Optimism ![Down arrow](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/layout/GO_Icons_ChevronDownBlack.svg) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/19539524/layout/linkedin-brands-b.svg) Follow on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/outrageoptimism) [![Instagram icon](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/19539524/layout/instagram-square-brands-b.svg) Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/outrageoptimism/) [![Twitter icon](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/19539524/layout/twitter-brands-b.svg) Follow on Twitter](https://twitter.com/OutrageOptimism) [![YouTube icon](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/layout/youtube-brands-b.svg) Follow on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/outrageandoptimism) ![Logomark](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/OutrageOptimism_LogomarkOnly_White.svg)Close Menu ![Close](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/GO_Icons_CloseBlack.svg) ![Outrage + Optimism logo](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/OutrageOptimism_Logo_V3.svg) ## Behind the scenes on the politics, investments and actions meeting the climate crisis head on ![Arrow](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/layout/GO_Icons_ArrowBlack.svg) ![Global Optimism logo](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/GlobalOptimism_Logo_V2.svg) ## Stubborn optimism is a choice. Join us in tackling the climate crisis with conviction, scale and speed ![Arrow](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/layout/GO_Icons_ArrowWhite.svg) ### Share ![](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/banners/GlobalOptimism_SiteBanners_83.jpg) What a bumper week for net zero announcements and progress towards the future we choose!  Biden’s climate summit with 40 world leaders, those accounting for more than 80% of emissions globally and those whose countries are already suffering some of the most devastating impacts of the climate crisis, was a moment of extraordinary momentum last week. We saw determination from multiple governments to secure the necessary descent of emissions, which must be reduced by half by 2030. On top of that a host of corporate commitments came into view.  We note that alongside this extraordinary momentum, there is still a healthy amount of skepticism amongst climate activists, who want to see more than ambitious statements and targets for cutting emissions as science demands in the 2020s: they want to see clear delivery plans for realising them. Our favourite quote from the Biden summit came from activist Xiye Bastida, who so beautifully articulated why people are rising up: ‘*Because we are striving for joy. Joy for our communities and future generations.*’    New national [emissions reduction targets ](https://www.axios.com/biden-climate-summit-emissions-targets-87c0d95a-72b0-4f74-a98d-c7061281f73a.html)announced at Biden’s climate summit: - **USA** – committed to reducing emissions 50-52% against 2005 baseline and [doubling climate finance ](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-double-public-climate-finance-developing-countries-by-2024-2021-04-22/)to developing countries by 2024. - **UK** – committed to reducing emissions 78% by 2035 against 1990 baseline. The new [pledge ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-enshrines-new-target-in-law-to-slash-emissions-by-78-by-2035)will incorporate the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions for the first time. - **EU** – committed to reducing emissions at least 55% by 2030 against 1990 baseline. - **Canada** – increased its emissions reduction target from 40% to 45% by 2030 against 2005 baseline. - **Japan** – raised its emissions reduction target from 26% to 46% by 2030 against 2013 baseline. - **Brazil** – pledged to end illegal deforestation by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. - **South Korea** – said it would end all new public financing to overseas coal projects and submit new emissions targets later this year. - **China** – the world’s largest consumer of coal [announced ](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/climate/chinas-leader-xi-jinping-promises-to-strictly-limit-coal.html)it will attempt to “strictly limit increasing coal consumption” over the next 5 years. - **The Race to Zero** [announced ](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-12/un-s-race-to-zero-draws-climate-pledges-from-a-fifth-of-ftse-100)that almost a fifth of FTSE 100 companies, with a market capitalisation of £715 billion, have committed to the campaign; [declared ](https://racetozero.unfccc.int/mobile-sector-breakthrough/)the mobile sector as the first to reach an industry ‘breakthrough’ with over one third of the industry now credibly committed to net zero by 2050; and welcomed 9 [Global Ambassadors ](https://racetozero.unfccc.int/welcome-to-the-global-ambassadors-to-race-to-zero-and-race-to-resilience/)to help build awareness around the campaign. - **RMI and EDF** launched the [Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance ](https://www.edf.org/media/edf-rmi-and-major-companies-launch-alliance-drive-aviation-decarbonization)– supported by founding companies such as Boeing, BCG, Deloitte, Microsoft, Netflix and Salesforce – to drive investment in high quality SAF. - **The [Solar Access for All Coalition](https://www.axios.com/biden-solar-environmental-justice-e403b660-3648-405a-b1a9-205233298ec3.html) **launched to ensure US federal efforts to expand solar power don’t leave BIPOC and low income, rural communities behind.    Money moves: - **The [Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero](https://racetozero.unfccc.int/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/GFANZ.pdf)**** (GFANZ)** was launched– a new global alliance of net zero finance initiatives bringing together over 160 firms, representing $70 trillion in assets, to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy as one sector-wide strategic forum. - **The [Net Zero Banking Alliance](https://www.unepfi.org/net-zero-banking/)**– a new GFANZ initiative involving 43 banks with $28.5 trillion in assets – was launched to align the banking sector’s climate commitments with the Paris Agreement goals.  - **UNEP FI** unveiled plans for a[ Net Zero Insurance Alliance ](https://www.unepfi.org/climate-change/un-convened-net-zero-insurance-alliance/)– an upcoming GFANZ initiative for insurers and reinsurers expected to launch at COP26. - **The IIGCC** [called ](https://www.iigcc.org/news/leading-investors-representing-11-trillion-call-on-banks-to-set-enhanced-net-zero-targets/)on banking firms to set enhanced net zero targets for 2050 or sooner, including interim goals. - **Aviva** set out a series of [proposals and recommendations ](https://www.avivainvestors.com/en-gb/about/company-news/2021/04/aviva-investors-proposes-revisions-to-international-financial-architecture/)to G7 and G20 nations it believes will enable the global financial system to tackle the climate crisis in an effective and cohesive way. - **The US Treasury Department** announced a new [Climate Hub](https://www.axios.com/treasury-climate-change-obama-hub-f12af25f-23f8-4baf-b01d-50c63af8312e.html) to facilitate and unlock financing for climate-friendly investments, to make environmental justice central to Treasury’s efforts, and to mitigate climate-related risks to the financial system. - **Amazon, Airbnb, Bayer, Boston Consulting Group, GSK, McKinsey, Nestlé, Salesforce, Unilever and the governments of the UK, US and Norway** [announced](https://www.emergentclimate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LEAF-Press-Release-FINAL_22-April_multilingual_B.pdf) the[ LEAF Coalition ](https://www.leafcoalition.org/)(Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest finance) – a new public-private initiative designed to accelerate climate action by providing results-based finance to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests. The initiative aims to mobilise at least $1 billion in financing.  Net zero transition: - **[The Climate Pledge](https://www.theclimatepledge.com/) **[announced](https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/climate-pledge-announces-more-100-signatories-committed) reaching over 100 signatories. Among the 52 [new signatories ](https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/sustainability/the-climate-pledge-celebrates-more-than-100-signatories%20/?token=ok&utm_campaign=earthday_desktop&utm_medium=H1&utm_source=Gateway)joining The Climate Pledge are AECOM, Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken, PepsiCo, Royal Philips, Sainsbury’s, Telefonica, and Visa. - **WPP**[ committed ](https://www.wpp.com/news/2021/04/wpp-makes-industry-leading-net-zero-commitment) to net zero by 2030 across its entire supply chain. - **HP** [committed ](https://press.hp.com/us/en/press-releases/2021/hp-inc-announces-ambitious-climate-action-goals.html)to net zero by 2040 across its value chain. - **WSP** [announced ](https://www.wsp.com/en-GL/investors/press-releases/details/WSP-Commits-to-Net-Zero,-Supported-by-ScienceBased-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-Reduction-Targets/2213197/2021)a commitment to net zero by 2040 across its value chain. - **MSCI** [committed ](https://www.msci.com/documents/10199/86474318-186a-82dc-7935-04ee0151a889)to net zero before 2040. - **Suntory**[ announced ](https://www.suntory.com/news/article/13903E.html)a commitment to net zero by 2050 across its value chain. - **Toyota** [committed ](https://global.toyota/pages/global_toyota/sustainability/esg/environmental/carbon_neutrality_en.pdf)to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. - **International Airlines Group, owner of British Airways and other airlines,** [committed ](https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/british-airways-owner-iag-makes-sustainable-fuel-commitment-2021-04-22/)to powering 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030. - **PepsiCo** unveiled its [Positive Agriculture ](https://www.pepsico.com/news/story/pepsico-unveils-ambitious-new-agriculture-goals)strategy to scale regenerative agriculture practices across 7 million acres – roughly equal to its entire footprint ­– to eliminate 3 million tons of GHG emissions from its supply chain by the end of 2030. - **Unilever** [unveiled ](https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2021/world-first-laundry-capsule-in-market-made-from-industrial-carbon-emissions.html)the world’s first laundry capsule made from industrial carbon emissions. - **Ingka Group,** the owner of most IKEA stores, [committed ](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/ikea-owner-sets-aside-4-bln-euros-green-power-projects-2021-04-20/)€4 billion to invest in wind and solar projects, EV charging points and other green energy projects by 2030. - **Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Facebook and Microsoft launched the [Low Carbon Patent Pledge](https://www.hpe.com/us/en/newsroom/press-release/2021/04/hewlett-packard-enterprise-facebook-and-microsoft-grant-free-patent-access-for-low-carbon-innovators.html)****,** an initiative and commitment to make key patents to accelerate the adoption of low carbon technologies available to the public royalty-free.   Phew. There’s absolutely no going back to the high polluting emissions trajectory! Thanks for reading this week’s digest, we hope you found it useful. Last week’s roundup is available [here](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/blog/signals-amidst-the-noise-april-13-2021). Don’t miss this week’s episode of the *Outrage + Optimism* podcast with President of the Environmental Defense Fund, Fred Krupp. Available wherever you get your podcasts or at [globaloptimism.com/podcasts.](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/?utm_campaign=Signals%20Amidst%20the%20Noise%3A%20Climate%20Action%20News%20from%20Global%20Optimism) ![](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/layout/GO_GreyLogomark.svg) ## Subscribe to the blog ## Stream the latest episodes ## Latest news stories ![The climate action that matters is in the global south, argues an architect of the Paris agreement](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/shutterstock_2393654307.jpg) ### The climate action that matters is in the global south, argues an architect of the Paris agreement November 17, 2025 ![Brazil can lead the world at COP30](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/Blog.avif) ### Brazil can lead the world at COP30 October 02, 2025 ![Pope Francis had the moral courage to stand up for the Earth and its people](https://www.ncronline.org/files/2025-04/20150618T0900-ENCYCLICAL%20--565376.JPG) ### Pope Francis had the moral courage to stand up for the Earth and its people April 22, 2025 ![Tending to the Broken Bones](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/1738760572687.jpg) ### Tending to the Broken Bones February 07, 2025 ![My Preparations for November 2024](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/shutterstock_247834897.jpg) ### My Preparations for November 2024 November 13, 2024 ![At Cop29, Azerbaijan must be the anchor for 1.5ºC](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/NEWSTATESMan.jpg) ### At Cop29, Azerbaijan must be the anchor for 1.5ºC August 06, 2024 ![Why a mindset of stubborn optimism about the climate crisis is needed, now more than ever](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/figuerres.png) ### Why a mindset of stubborn optimism about the climate crisis is needed, now more than ever January 29, 2024 ![The Climate Stories Our World Needs Now](https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/DOWN_TO_US_jeffers.webp) ### The Climate Stories Our World Needs Now January 16, 2024 Browse and share ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=6481866&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "United Kingdom", "addressLocality" : "Bath", "addressRegion" : "England", "postalCode" : "BA1 3DU", "streetAddress" : "7 Chelsea Road " }, "description" : "Global Optimism works to inspire and catalyse transformations across our economies, and a renewed spirit of human achievement in the face of the climate crisis.", "email" : "info@globaloptimism.com", "image" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/19539524/GlobalOptimism_OGImage_V1.png", "logo" : "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/OutrageOptimism_LogoPNG-v1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/blog/signals-amidst-the-noise-april-28-2021", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "We curate updates on government, finance and corporate net zero news weekly from the world’s media. Here is today’s update." }, "naics" : "813312", "name" : "Global Optimism", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org", "https://www.globaloptimism.com", "https://www.facebook.com/globaloptimism", "https://twitter.com/GlobalOptimism", "https://www.instagram.com/globaloptimism/", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaloptimism/" ], "telephone" : "", "url" : "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Global Optimism" }, "dateModified" : "July 28, 2021, 14:20:03", "datePublished" : "2021-04-28 12:00:00", "description" : "We curate updates on government, finance and corporate net zero news weekly from the world’s media. Here is today’s update.", "headline" : "Signals Amidst the Noise: April 28, 2021", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/19539524/banners/GlobalOptimism_SiteBanners_83.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/blog/signals-amidst-the-noise-april-28-2021", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/hubfs/logo/OutrageOptimism_LogoPNG-v1.png" }, "name" : "Global Optimism" } } ```