Aiming for Zero: Business leadership for a net zero economy

Prompted by the Paris Agreement and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a faster pace, governments across the world are reviewing their initial ambitions, and looking at what is required to deliver on the goal of ‘net zero’ emissions. Achieving this goal requires further discussion, with every sector and region involved. Business has a unique and crucial role to play, and as public debates gather momentum at national, European and international levels, businesses will be expected to change their operations in order to deliver on this vision. The Corporate Leaders Group is calling on governments to set net zero goals in line with the Paris Agreement, and is working to lead its business peers to work with governments on what a net zero economy could look like.

The Future in Practice: The State of Sustainability Leadership

December 2012 – The State of Sustainability Leadership is the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)’s annual collection of ideas and research into how business and policy leaders are tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

The Corporate Climate Communiqués since 2007

Since 2007 The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) has created Communiqués which set out the business case for an ambitious, robust, effective and equitable UN climate framework and offers a progressive global consensus on the shape of an agreement.

BSP London Lecture 2004, delivered by UK Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP

September 2004 – The UK Prime Minister at the time, the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, delivered the London Lecture of The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme (BSP)

BSP London Lecture 2007, delivered by H. Lee Scott Jr

February 2007 – It is clear that there are no simple answers. And with rapidly rising international concern about issues such as climate change, it is also clear that the hopes and expectations of the role business will play have never been higher. Which is one of the reasons why the Business & Sustainability Programme exists.

The Cancun Communiqué

November 2010 – This Communiqué is being issued by the business leaders of global companies, including many of the companies that endorsed The Copenhagen Communiqué just over a year ago.

The 2°C Challenge Communiqué

October 2011 – This Communiqué – the fifth such statement – is being issued to governments by leaders of over 200 companies from around the world. As business leaders, we are committed to action on climate change, sustainable development and the green economy. Green growth offers the potential to create a more prosperous and resilient economy, and deliver innovation, new industries and jobs. We continue to broaden understanding amongst our peers of the economic case for green growth and the urgency of meeting the 2°C challenge.

How do we protect growth in a world of ‘new normals’?

November 2011 – Last Friday the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved a new report on ‘Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters for Climate Change Adaptation’. This is compelling reading both for those interested in climate change science, and for those working everyday to protect future economic and social activity.

Moving beyond the uncertainty of climate change risk

April 2012 – Inherent uncertainty means that every statement made in relation to climate change risk must be caveated, but that is not an excuse for inaction.

David Buckland: A simple and undeniable truth

December 2012 – For the past 12 years, the Cape Farewell project has embedded climate scientists with artists, writers and film-makers to address what has been described as humanity’s greatest challenge: anthropogenic climate change. The two intellectual tribes of scientists and artists have been surprised at the closeness of their shared quest to define how we can comprehend the complexities of the climate challenge. Both have benefited from each other’s ambition to envision a cultural shift that could lead towards sustainable societies.

David Reiner: Perspectives on Carbon Capture and Storage

December 2012 – Dr David Reiner’s research follows international negotiations on climate change, the consequent development of national climate change and energy policies, and public perception and communications regarding energy and climate policies. Much of his research focuses on regulatory design in energy and environmental policy, such as in setting goals in regulation and on wider public attitudes towards energy – for example, the upcoming rollout of smart meters and its likely impact on consumer demand.

The Corporate Leaders Group is calling on governments to set net zero goals in line with the Paris Agreement, and is working to lead its business peers to work with governments on what a net zero economy could look like.

The Future in Practice: The State of Sustainability Leadership

The Corporate Climate Communiqués since 2007

BSP London Lecture 2004, delivered by UK Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP

BSP London Lecture 2007, delivered by H. Lee Scott Jr

The Cancun Communiqué

The 2°C Challenge Communiqué

How do we protect growth in a world of ‘new normals’?

Moving beyond the uncertainty of climate change risk

David Buckland: A simple and undeniable truth

David Reiner: Perspectives on Carbon Capture and Storage

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