Climate High-Level Champions

The Climate High-Level Champions are a UNFCCC-mandated function that connects national climate negotiations with voluntary action by businesses, investors, cities, and civil society. Appointed by successive COP presidencies, two Champions serve concurrently to ensure continuity across annual climate conferences. Supported by a global team, they coordinate initiatives under the Global Climate Action Agenda and lead campaigns such as Race to Zero, which mobilises non-state actors to commit to net-zero targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Their role is facilitative rather than regulatory, focusing on scaling initiatives, strengthening collaboration, and maintaining momentum between COP cycles.