Knowledge Hub
Corporate climate policy engagement: A briefing for board directors
June 2023
Conducting corporate climate policy engagement (also known as advocacy or lobbying) positively and appropriately is critical to creating the conditions that will enable a company to achieve its net zero transition.
This briefing, produced by the Climate Governance Initiative in collaboration with InfluenceMap, highlights the key issues that board directors should be aware of.
Belgium 2050 - Can we reach Net Zero?
April 2023
We organised a webinar with Climact to better understand the feasible transition pathways for Belgium to achieve Net Zero emissions, and what this means for Belgian companies planning their own transition to Net Zero. We also heard from Elia on how they are both supporting Belgian's transition and reducing their own emissions.
You can find the slides that were presented here.
And watch the recording of the webinar here.
Explore the Pathways Explorer for Belgium here.
We thank Climact for their support in organising this webinar.
Corporate Climate Finance - An overview of the US and EU approaches
April 2023
In this decade of action, governments play a crucial role in supporting industrial decarbonisation to mitigate climate change, foster sustainable economic growth, and promote public health and social benefits.
In this webinar, organised with the support of ICF and NACD, we discussed the different approaches between the United States and the European Union and what companies can expect in terms of support and financing for their decarbonisation plans.
You can watch the recording of the webinar here.
And access a written summary here.
We would like to thanks ICF for their support organising this webinar.
Scope &Status of the EU Green Deal & Funding overview
March 2023
Since its approval in 2019, the EU has been working on a variety of policy measures under the "EU Green Deal" which aims at achieving ambitious climate and environmental targets for Europe. Very recently the EU embarked as well in increased ambition with the Green Deal Industrial Plan, putting Europe’s net zero industry in the lead.
In this webinar we raise awareness on the scope of the EU green deal, and its latest dimension, exploring the different policy areas and sectors that it covers and the expected implications and opportunities for companies now and in the future. We will also discuss the investments and funding opportunities that will support the implementation of the EU Green Deal, and how this compares to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
You can watch the recording of the webinar here.
And access the slides that were presented here.
We thank Schuman Associates for their support in organising this informative webinar.
Integrity Matters: Net-zero commitments by non-state entities – A briefing for board directors
April 2023
Published following COP27, the UN’s Integrity Matters report makes 10 recommendations businesses should implement to develop a robust net-zero strategy with credible commitments and a roadmap to evidence-based action.
This new briefing by the Climate Governance Initiative for board directors adds key questions board directors should ask to consider how the UN’s recommendations apply to their businesses.
It also provides a list of follow-up reading around the topics to deepen understanding and drive climate action at board level.
The Chairperson’s Guide to Valuing Nature
January 2023
This paper aims to help Chairpersons guide the conversation to ensure that board members understand the risks and opportunities related to nature loss, and to successfully - and responsibly - steward the business through the transition.
Produced by the World Economic Forum and the Climate Governance Initiative in collaboration with Deloitte.
Climate Change and ESG-related risks in Value Chains: What Board Directors need to know
December 2022
This briefing highlights key points on value chain due diligence that non-executive directors should be aware of. Providing a clear overview of new and existing guidance and legislation, climate-adjacent issues, the proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), minimising risk of parent company liability and disclosing scope 3 emissions, this guide will help NEDs identify opportunities and risks in their value chain.
Produced by the Climate Governance Initiative and the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI)
The Chairperson's Guide to a Just Transition
22 September 2022
The transition to a climate-neutral economy will impact people and geographies in different ways. By considering these impacts, businesses have a chance to address previous systemic inequalities and ensure new systems are fair and inclusive, while remaining profitable and in balance with the needs of the people and the environment.
The World Economic Forum and the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with Deloitte, have produced a guidebook to provide corporate board members with an overview of the just transition and why it is essential in shaping corporate strategy.
Climate Change Boardroom Toolkit
July 2022 (Updated)
This toolkit's aim is to help Directors understand the key issues relating to climate change and the actions they can take to start addressing them. The main body of the toolkit has been kept short, sharp and to the point, but with drill downs and links to other resources (e.g. WEF and TCFD material) to enable access more detail if required.
This toolkit has been developed for Chapter Zero, the directors’ climate forum, by The Berkeley Partnership working with the Hughes Hall Centre for Climate Change Engagement in Cambridge.
Access the toolkit here (Chapter Zero website)
Primer on Climate Change: Directors’ Duties and Disclosure Obligations
24 June 2021
This Primer provides an overview of contemporary evidence that climate change presents foreseeable, and in many cases material, financial and systemic risks that affect corporations and their investors. It then discusses:
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general climate obligations in the jurisdictions where The Climate Governance Initiative is present though its global network of national Chapters;
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how company law and directors’ duties in these jurisdictions require directors to incorporate climate change into their strategies, legal oversight, and supervision of the companies entrusted to their care;
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disclosure obligations; and then
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advice to directors.
Read the primer here (CGI Website)
The Sixth IPCC Assessment Report summaries
7 April 2022
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is nearing the end of its Sixth Assessment Cycle, during which its three Working Groups produce reports summarising the evidence base underpinning climate change.
Working Group 1: Focused on the physical science of climate change
Working Group 2: Focused on how climate change will impact society and the environment, and how the world can adapt to these impacts
Working Group 3: Focused on mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The Climate Governance Initiative’s summaries for the three Working Group reports are available here (CGI Website)
An Energy Guide for Non-Executive Directors
Addressing how energy is produced, consumed and managed is a major step in reducing emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
This guide provides non-executive directors (NEDs) on the boards of companies that are developing climate plans with an introduction to the steps they can take to reduce emissions from energy supply and use. It will help NEDs understand smart and sustainable energy, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend the best routes to achieving a net-zero economy.
Access the Guide here (Chapter Zero website)
Introduction to Carbon Credits and Offsetting
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May 2023
Following an event organised with Chapter Zero Brussels in early 2023, CO2Logic has prepared a short document explaining:
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the concept of carbon credits
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the different types of climate action projects
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how credits are generated and measured
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how carbon credits can play a role in the overall sustainability and climate strategy of a company
You can download the document here.
This document has been produced by Co2Logic for Chapter Zero Brussels members and we thank them for their support and knowledge sharing.
Case Studies: The role of boards in driving climate action
April 2023
The Climate Governance Initiative presents four business case studies on the experiences of leading companies driving climate action from the board level.
The case studies highlight the climate and sustainability commitments, strategies and activities of four organisations from diverse geographies and sectors, from real estate to cosmetics.
Each provides a snapshot of the governance approaches and processes applies, including objective-setting, investment strategies, integration of reporting, executive compensation, offsetting and more. A key focus is placed on the vital role boards play in balancing good business sense with ambitious climate action.
Read more here. (CGI Website)
The people side of Climate Action & the Role of the Board
April 2023
Delivery of corporate climate targets requires transformative change, and successfully managing the people aspects will be at the heart of successful implementation. To assist members to better understand the people side of climate action, we held a discussion hosted by Korn Ferry with over 150 NEDs from Chapter Zero Brussels, France, and the UK. The objective of the session was to:
• Explore the key people challenges in reducing green-house gas emissions
• Discuss the role of the Board in helping address these challenges
• Provide practical guidance for Board members to engage the Executive
You can watch the recording of the webinar here.
And access an enhanced view of the content prepared and discussed at the event here.
As well as the compiled Q&A from the webinar here.
We thank Korn Ferry for their support.
What does the new IPCC report mean for board directors?
March 2023
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s fourth and final instalment of its sixth assessment report provides a clear and robust scientific understanding of the current state of the climate system and how it is changing.
According to the report, businesses risk experiencing significant losses due to climate change, but can also collectively influence a large share of global emissions, and are well-suited to take a leading role in a just transition to net zero.
What are the key takeaways and recommendations from the IPCC report board directors need to know? The Climate Governance Initiative has analysed the report and developed key considerations for climate leadership from the board level.
Biodiversity as a Material Financial Risk: What Board Directors Need to Know
March 2023
Biodiversity - the variability among living organisms – is being lost at a rate 100 to 1,000 times higher than that of the past million years. This poses significant risk to economic activities and financial assets, which depend on biodiversity.
This update highlights the material financial risks and opportunities, and directors’ duties of loyalty and care, related to biodiversity loss. It also provides key questions board directors should ask in the boardroom to engage with management and ensure they are meeting their duties to the company.
Produced by the Climate Governance Initiative and the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI)
Download the document here.
Climate Reporting explained by ecoDa and PwC with the support of Chapter Zero Brussels
Briefing for board directors ahead of COP27
October 2022
COP27 will build upon the progress made at the previous UN climate meeting, COP26, focusing on the commitment to deliver action on existing country pledges for climate adaptation, mitigation (emissions reduction), and finance. This will require coordinated mobilisation across governments, businesses, finance, and civil society. COP27 president Dr Sameh Shoukry has highlighted the fundamental role of the private business sector both in generating finance and in implementing climate action initiatives.
Read the full briefing here (CGI website)
Executive Compensation Guidebook for Climate Transition
11 November 2021
Willis Towers Watson, partnering with the Climate Governance Initiative, has developed a guidebook to explore how to drive the climate strategy by meaningfully embedding it within executive compensation frameworks.
Available for download here (wtw website)
Climate Change Litigation – What Board Directors Need to Know
23 June 2022
Climate change litigation is increasing, both in terms of the number of cases being brought and the routes which claimants are taking. Litigation against companies is increasing, and claims are now being brought against directors and officers for their actions or perceived inaction on climate issues in their governance, disclosure and oversight of risk management and strategy.
The Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI) has partnered with the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) to prepare this Quarterly Update for the CGI network. This is the first update of a series of quarterly learning materials on climate change as it relates to boards’ duties and governance.
The Chairperson’s Perspective: Shaping the board’s strategic direction on climate
25 April 2022
We are in a decisive decade to accelerate action against climate change. Choices made over the next decade will impact the world for centuries to come, and business leaders must be advocates for taking action to address climate change within their organisation and beyond.
The World Economic Forum and the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with Deloitte, have designed guides to help equip business leaders with the knowledge and resources they need to take meaningful steps towards a sustainable future.
Download the three guides (CGI Website):
1. The Chairperson’s Insights into Climate Action
2. The Chairperson’s Guide to Climate Stakeholders
3. The Chairperson’s Guide to Decarbonization
How to Set Up Effective Climate Governance on Corporate Boards
January 2019
The WEF governance principles are designed to increase directors’ climate awareness, embed climate considerations into board structures and processes and improve navigation of the risks and opportunities that climate change poses to business. By providing a compass to enable more effective climate governance, this initiative strives to contribute to the Forum’s Compact for responsive and responsible leadership and to sound an urgent call to action for purposeful stewardship from and for the most prominent custodians in corporations: their board of directors.
Read the full report here (in collaboration with PwC & WEF)
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