skip to content

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Achieving Zero

The transition to zero is underway. The private sector has a critical role in delivering this transition and there is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that it makes business sense to act.

Forward looking companies understand this. They are harnessing climate action as driver of innovation, risk management and competitiveness – recognising that setting a course to net zero can provide a powerful guiding light in turbulent times as well as delivering commercial benefits. Yet, there is no blueprint for change and change is not happening fast enough.

The necessary speed and scale of the transition will require unprecedented co-operation and effort from all companies and sectors. It will require transformation towards a new economy that puts people, nature and the climate at the heart of global value creation. 

 

What we do 


Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) plays a key role working with its partners to accelerate this transition. Through our  foresight, education, convening and innovation we help hundreds of companies and thousands of individuals every year to deliver transformational change and impact for a net zero economy.  

 

CISL insights


 

The Dubai hosted 28th annual session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention

Read more

Our position on phasing out fossil fuels.

Read more

 
 

Helping businesses align their strategies with net zero.

Read more

Tools, frameworks and thought leadership from the Centre for Sustainable Finance.

Read more

 
 

Case studies from startups and SMEs on their net zero journey.

Read more

 

Thought leadership and knowledge hubs from the Corporate Leaders groups.

Read more

 
 

Programmes and courses for business


 

CISL’s flagship international programme equips leaders with the knowledge, commitment and inspiration to turn sustainability
trends into strategic business decisions.

Read more

Online short course to help business professionals upskill themselves in climate change risk, adaptation measures, and low carbon innovation.

Read more

 

 

Supporters 


Cambridge Zero harnesses the full range of the University’s research and policy expertise, developing solutions that work for our lives, our society and our economy. 

Chapter Zero is building a community of non-executive directors and equipping them to lead crucial UK boardroom discussions on the impacts of climate change. 

We Mean Business coalition is a global nonprofit coalition working with the world’s most influential businesses to take action on climate change.

Supporters

 

 

Resources and research


Read more at: Future Proofing: Sustainable plans for prosperous economies

Future Proofing: Sustainable plans for prosperous economies

November 2016 – This policy briefing highlights the importance of long-term policy planning to deliver the vision of the Paris Agreement and outlines key characteristics of business friendly long-term plans.


Read more at: A new climate for business: Planning your response to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

A new climate for business: Planning your response to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

September 2016 – This business briefing provides an overview of what was agreed in the Paris Agreement. It explains the major implications and helps businesses to formulate their strategic responses.


Read more at: Justice in the transition to a low carbon economy

Justice in the transition to a low carbon economy

June 2016 – The third of three working papers exploring the meaning of a 'just transition' to a low carbon economy. The transition requires the involvement of a range of actors for whom both the outcome and the process of achieving a low carbon economy must be fair. The concept of justice takes a central place in the interactions among policymakers, businesses and civil society. In this report we consider how a justice approach could inform sustainability leaders in policymaking and business circles.


Read more at: The multiple meanings of justice in the context of the transition to a low carbon economy

The multiple meanings of justice in the context of the transition to a low carbon economy

June 2016 – The first of three working papers exploring the meaning of a 'just transition' to a low carbon economy. This paper reviews the meanings of justice. It begins by summarising major moral interpretations of justice, and then turns to consider the main theoretical elements of justice: equitable distribution, recognition (eg of others' needs and rights), equal participation and equal capabilities.


Read more at: The nature of transitions: Implications for the transition to a low carbon economy

The nature of transitions: Implications for the transition to a low carbon economy

June 2016 – The second of three working papers exploring the meaning of a 'just transition' to a low carbon economy. Here, an overview of theoretical approaches relevant to transitions is presented. Through the mapping of key interdisciplinary approaches on the topic, the paper aims to assist the management of transition processes, the assessment of its outcomes, as well as deliberative decision-making regarding the future of on-going transitions.


Read more at: Feeling the heat: An investors’ guide to measuring business risk from carbon and energy regulation

Feeling the heat: An investors’ guide to measuring business risk from carbon and energy regulation

May 2016 – The COP 21 climate agreement indicates a growing global consensus for action on climate change. In response, this research report assesses the impact of future carbon- and energy-related regulation on the most sensitive industries and geographies at a company level.


Read more at: Business Compendium: How the private sector is building Europe's climate ambition

Business Compendium: How the private sector is building Europe's climate ambition

4 March 2016 – This low carbon Business Compendium demonstrates how the activities of some of the world’s largest companies are contributing to the delivery of a low carbon future. The Compendium compiles examples of the ambitions and achievements that European businesses have made so far in tackling climate change, and aligning their business with a low carbon pathway.


Read more at: The Paris Climate Agreement requires a coherent, strategic response by financial institutions
None

The Paris Climate Agreement requires a coherent, strategic response by financial institutions

9 February 2016

9 February 2016 – A new paper ‘The Paris Climate Agreement: Implications for banks, institutional investors, private equity and insurers’ provides analysis of the most pressing points of the Paris Agreement, and other key developments from the climate summit, and concludes that a coherent, strategic response is required of financial institutions.


Read more at: Climate change: Implications for superannuation funds in Australia

Climate change: Implications for superannuation funds in Australia

January 2016 – New study from our Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership, supported by asset manager Colonial First State Global Asset Management, highlights member interest in superannuation fund climate exposure.


Read more at: REALCAR project circular economy case study: Collaboration for a closed-loop value chain

REALCAR project circular economy case study: Collaboration for a closed-loop value chain

January 2016 – This closed-loop case study explores the lessons learnt from the REALCAR closed loop value chain project between Jaguar Land Rover, Novelis, Innovate UK and partners, in the creation of new materials and production systems to introduce closed-loop aluminium into Jaguar Land Rover cars.