The race to net-zero emissions by 2050 is on. Can we count you in?

In this rousing call to action, three participants of the Race To Zero -- a global campaign for cities, businesses, investors and individuals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 -- discuss how we can move forward with speed and urgency to create a more fair, healthy and sustainable world. Watch as Miao Wang, United Nations Young Champion of the Earth; Alok Sharma, president of COP26; and Nigel Topping, UK High Level Climate Action Champion, COP26, show how people across the world are stepping up their climate ambition. Can we count you in? (With introductions from Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Chris Hemsworth)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Young people
are asking us to act now.

One such person is Miao Wang,

a United Nations young champion
who leads Better Blue,

an ocean conservation organization.

She has a message for all of us
from her home in China.

[Miao Wang]

Miao Wang: People sometimes ask why young
people are urgently calling for change.

We are calling for change,
because we know it is possible.

I have seen firsthand benefits
of scientists restoring coral reefs

and bringing back reef life.

Imagine a world where the air is fresh;

where everyone has access to clean energy
we need to cook, live and learn;

where the most vulnerable are cared for;

where our cities are protected
from rising sea levels

and where forests
are protected and rewilded.

That's why, along with many
of my generation,

I'm calling on leaders
to act with speed and urgency

to create a future
that is fairer and healthier

for all people everywhere
and for our planet.

Thank you.

Chris Hemsworth: During
the first session a few hours ago,

the UN Secretary General
mentioned an initiative

called the Race to Zero.

I want to come back to that for a moment

because it's the crucial race for humanity

and it requires governments,
cities, businesses

and all of us to work together.

To tell us more

I want to bring in the United Kingdom
Secretary of State

for business, energy
and industrial strategy, Alok Sharma,

who's also a president
of the United Nation's

climate conference COP26

which will take place
in Glasgow next year.

[Alok Sharma]

Alok Sharma: As we recover from the impact
of the coronavirus pandemic,

the world has the opportunity

to build a healthier
and more resilient future,

to create a fairer and thriving society

and to reduce the risk of future shocks.

Many organizations and institutions
have already stepped up to the plate.

They have made specific
science-based commitments

to a net-zero world.

As of the end of September,
over 1,100 major companies

have committed to net-zero emissions
by 2050 at the latest,

sourcing 100 percent
renewable electricity,

flipping their fleets
to electric vehicles,

making their buildings
more energy efficient

and working with their suppliers
to drive down their emissions.

Forty-five of the world's
largest investors

are committed to ensure
they invest responsibly.

452 cities, 22 regions,
549 universities around the world

have joined the Race to Zero,

and many more are preparing to do so.

But we need to go further.

Between now and the UN Climate Conference,
COP26, in November 2021,

we want to accelerate the pace
across the global economy.

We're at a turning point.

We don't have time to waste.

And you can help

by making sure that the company
or community where you work

joins the race today.

PCJ: Thank you so much, Alok.

The Race to Zero is a race we'll win

or lose together.

No one better than a climate champion
to describe what that means.

His official title indeed is

high-level climate action champion
of the United Kingdom

for next year's United Nations
climate conference.

Please welcome Nigel Topping.

[Nigel Topping]

Nigel Topping: I want to tell you
why this is a race we can win.

We can see the pathways
to zero in every sector,

from cement and steel
to shipping and aviation.

Yes, there remain
technical problems to be solved,

but they are known, well-defined.

And this is what engineers exist for.

We have courageous leaders
in every sector of the economy

who have committed to transforming
their entire value chain

to win their own race to zero.

2050 is the target for LafargeHolcim,
the world's largest cement company,

and for Maersk shipping.

2040 is the target for Amazon,

and 2039,

for the inventor of the first automotive
internal combustion engine, Mercedes,

and 2030 for Apple

and for Brazilian
cosmetics company Natura.

If they can do it,
then so can all their competitors.

And we know the shape
of industrial transformation:

every transition --

from horses to cars,

from valves to transistors,

from analog to digital film

and now from combustion engines
to electric vehicles --

takes a long time to kick off,

then turns exponential
before plateauing at full market adoption.

We see this exponential growth
starting to ratchet up

in sector after sector

as volumes go up and costs go down.

Don't pay attention
to anyone who tells you,

"But it's only got to
four percent of the market."

The key question is:

how quickly did that figure double
from two percent to four percent?

That doubling time is what stays constant
in exponential growth.

So if it's two years, then that's the key,

and the market share
will double to 8, 16, 32, 64,

and the transition
will be over within 10 years.

We know how to win the Race to Zero,

but we'll only do so
if many, many more of you join --

every business, investor,
city, region and country,

every school, university,
sports club and citizen.

Can we count you in?

CH: You sure can, Nigel,
I'm definitely in, mate.