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
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.
Online short course to help business professionals upskill themselves in climate change risk, adaptation measures, and low carbon innovation.
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.
Resources and research
The drive to net zero emissions should be the next space race
8 August 2018
8 August 2018 – With a month to go to the Global Climate Action Summit, Eliot Whittington reflects on the innovation and competition that can emerge from the accelerated pursuit of a net zero emission economy.
The Climate Change Act at 10 years: Where next for UK ambition?
12 July 2018
12 July 2018 – On the ten-year anniversary of the UK Climate Change Act, The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group convened a discussion between leading UK businesses and Parliamentarians to explore setting a net zero carbon emissions target for the UK.
Resource Productivity and the Circular Economy: The opportunities for the UK economy
21 May 2018
May 2018 – This paper presents the findings of consultation with members of Business in the Community’s (BITC’s) Circular Economy Taskforce on opportunities for the UK to take a leading global role in resource productivity and to move towards a circular economy. It discusses the opportunities and challenges in accelerating the UK’s transition to a circular economy.
Voluntary approach to buildings' energy efficiency not working; legislation needed, say companies
16 April 2018
17 April 2018 – There are enormous opportunities to make Europe’s buildings more energy efficient, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions in line with international commitments, but current policy is not ambitious enough, according to a new report from The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group. Leading businesses interviewed for the report say member states must legislate to ensure renovation happens.
Renovation Roadmap: Making Europe’s homes fit for the 21st Century
13 April 2018
April 2018 – This report draws on insights and experience from 12 businesses who are members of the CLG and its close network and are involved in energy-efficiency renovation of buildings. It highlights the importance of renovating EU homes at scale in order to deliver on the Paris Agreement and take advantage of the associated economic opportunities, and identifies the current barriers to a higher renovation rate as well as promising schemes and experimentations across the EU. It puts forward recommendations for EU Member States and local governments to address these barriers and make the most of this opportunity.
Changes in transport offer challenges and opportunities for EU business and policy
10 November 2017
11 November 2017 – Electrification and automation are among the dramatic changes in the way transport is designed, operated and consumed that will have profound effects on our lives. Leading European companies are anticipating and responding, but unless policymakers invest and regulate to make the most of these opportunities, Europe will be left behind, according to a report from The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group, launched today at the UN Climate Change conference in Bonn.
Electric avenue: The future of road transport in Europe
10 November 2017
November 2017 – This report draws together insights from businesses and industry experts to map the trends toward electrification and automation in the road transport sector. It seeks to make a high-level assessment of the implications and opportunities for European businesses, as well as what policymakers need to do to respond to these trends.
European industry in the 21st century: New models for resource productivity
7 September 2017
September 2017 – This report is based on interviews with companies that are using circular economy principles to reduce their exposure to risk, and to access new markets. It discusses some of the successful transformations and changes made, obstacles faced, and potential policies for overcoming those obstacles.
Market design for a high-renewables European electricity system
8 August 2017
August 2017 – This report was commissioned by CISL to provide a set of policy recommendations for the market design of a future EU electricity system characterised by a dominant share of intermittent renewable energy supply (RES), in line with the stated targets of European governments.
25 April 2017
26 April 2017 – Leading businesses are calling on the EU to raise the ambition of its renewable energy targets.
