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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

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Our position on phasing out fossil fuels.

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Helping businesses align their strategies with net zero.

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

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

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Thought leadership and knowledge hubs from the Corporate Leaders groups.

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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.

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

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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: Leadership capabilities for the 21st century

Leadership capabilities for the 21st century

21 July 2023 - Report presenting the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s new Leadership capabilities for the 21st century Framework. The framework is focused on developing and expanding leadership capacity and is designed to help individuals and collectives reflect on their own and others’ leadership practice.


Read more at: Navigating low carbon disruption: Systems thinking and dynamic system drivers in power, road transport and agriculture

Navigating low carbon disruption: Systems thinking and dynamic system drivers in power, road transport and agriculture

27 June 2023 – A report by the team behind the Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship in Radical Innovation and Disruption examines how systems thinking can help businesses and other stakeholders characterise, anticipate and influence low carbon market disruption.


Read more at: Beyond net zero: People, nature and climate

Beyond net zero: People, nature and climate

3 December 2021 - Nick Villiers, Director of CISL’s Centre for Sustainable Finance, reflects on the role of the finance industry in taking a more active and assertive role in supporting, enabling and accelerating the transition to a more regenerative economy.


Read more at: The moment of truth?
COP26

The moment of truth?

15 November 2021 - Eliot Whittington, Director of the Corporate Leaders Groups, argues COP26 was not the failure some have accused it of being - but now the onus is on businesses to prove their critics wrong


Read more at: On the Borderline: The EU CBAM and its place in the world of trade

On the Borderline: The EU CBAM and its place in the world of trade

October 2021 - The CISL report ‘On the Borderline: the EU CBAM and its place in the world of trade’ shows unilateral action is risky but may be needed to achieve net zero by 2050.


Read more at: The future of sustainability in the built environment - a Q&A with Munish Datta
Building change logo

The future of sustainability in the built environment - a Q&A with Munish Datta

27 September 2021 - Munish Datta is director at UK Green Building Council where he is responsible for leading the organisations membership strategy and enabling the delivery of its mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment. As a Fellow at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, he also empowers senior business leaders & organisations to tackle critical global challenges.


Read more at: Targeting Net Zero: A strategic framework for business action
Targeting Net Zero

Targeting Net Zero: A strategic framework for business action

Introduction A net zero emission economy will be essential to maintain a stable global climate. The private sector has a critical role in delivering this and there is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that it makes good business sense to act. Business action on climate change can inform...


Read more at: UK business and policy leadership for net zero: analysis of progress to reduce emissions

UK business and policy leadership for net zero: analysis of progress to reduce emissions

May 2021 – A report from University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership analyses the progress the UK has made towards reducing emissions and meeting its 2030 targets, and looks at the role that policy and clear, sector-specific ambitions have played in supporting the transition.


Read more at: Building Change
Building-change-hub

Building Change

How does the built environment create value for people, nature and climate as demands on the sector grow? With a reputation as one of the most environmentally burdensome industries which also has a fundamental opportunity to support healthy and resilient societies, the built environment sector...


Read more at: Why the transition to net zero is business's business
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Why the transition to net zero is business's business

9 April 2021 - CISL Course Convenor Dimitri Zenghelis unpacks the three major climate change-related risks affecting organisations and illustrates the significant opportunities that will be gained from transitioning to a net zero carbon business model.