For more than 20 years, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) has represented the European outdoor sector, an industry built on a deep connection to naturea nd a shared responsibility to protect and preserve the outdoors. Over this time, the industry has worked collectively to address a wide range of sustainability challenges. Through initiatives led by the EOG and its members, the sector has taken important steps to better understand and reduce impact.
However, the scale and urgency of the climate crisis mean that voluntary action alone is no longer sufficient. Climate change represents the most significant long-term risk facing both our industry and the natural environments on which it depends. Its impacts extend far beyond emissions, affecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and communities throughout global supply chains. As an industry that relies on the health of the outdoors, we must move beyond fragmented commitments and towards credible, measurable climate action. To support this transition, the EOG has introduced a Race to Zero mandate for members, aligning the outdoor sector with internationally recognised climate initiatives and accelerating progress towards global climate goals.
The Race to Zero (RTZ) is a global campaign led by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that brings together recognised climate initiatives working towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. It mobilises a coalition of leading net-zero initiatives. All partner initiatives must meet robust, science-aligned criteria, and are responsible for supporting organisations in setting credible climate targets and taking action to reduce emissions.
Race to Zero is not itself a pledge or implementation programme. Rather, it is a framework established by the UNFCCC that brings together recognised initiatives under a common set of standards, helping to ensure that climate commitments are credible, comparable and aligned with internationally recognised approaches, rather than fragmented or unverifiable pledges.
For the past few years, climate action within the outdoor industry has largely been voluntary. The EOG is now introducing a mandatory climate commitment for members.
By the end of 2026, EOG Members must commit to a UNFCCC Race to Zero initiative, or set independent commitments aligned with the EOG Reference Framework.
Clarifications:
- Does not apply to Associate Members
- “Commit” means either full entry into an initiative, OR, a public statement or aformal internal agreement communicated to the EOG Secretariat.
- Net-zero targets (as defined by SBTi/RTZ) are not required; however, long-term emission-reduction targets to 2050, consistent with the Paris Agreement, are required for large organisations and encouraged for SMEs.
Independent Commitments Framework
Independent commitments must:
- Measure and report Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and include Scope 3 emissions where they represent a significant share of the total footprint (typically more than 40% of total emissions).
- Use a recognised GHG accounting standard (e.g. GHG Protocol).
- Define a baseline year in line with SBTi guidance. (no earlier than 2015 and representative of current operations).
- Set near-term targets (typically to 2030) that are science-aligned or consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
- Set long-term emission-reduction targets (to 2050) consistent with the Paris Agreement, required for large organisations and encouraged for SME’s.
- Ensure all targets are science-aligned and consistent with the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming to well below 2 °C and pursue 1.5 °C.
- Publish targets and report progress annually through publicly available updates.
contact katy.stevens@europeanoutdoorgroup.com for more information.