Good governance

Karen Ellis, Chief Economist at WWF-UK and speaker at Chapter Zero events, says that boards are looking for pathways to help them integrate nature into their transition plans.

When board conversations revolve largely around growth, how do non-executive directors get nature on the agenda? Chapter Zero Fellow Orna NiChionna talks about finding ways for nature to resonate with boards.

The key question explored in this Institute of Directors blog is: are we asking the right questions on executive remuneration?

This Climate Governance Initiative case study looks at how sustainability is shaping the way industry leader British Land does business.

In this briefing, the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative outline the key findings of the March 2024 legal opinion - ‘Nature-related risks and directors’ duties under the law of England and Wales’, and actions directors can take to minimise the risk of breaching their legal duties.

This briefing presentation deck offers boards a compelling business case to act on nature now by aligning to the TNFD. It leverages the latest data and a wealth of case studies that show how mapping your nature risks and dependencies can not only help boards strengthen governance and get ahead on compliance, but also build a competitive nature-positive strategy.

Chapter Zero partnered with Freshfields and the Centre for Climate Engagement in 2023 to explore key climate-related legal questions with non-executive directors from across the UK, especially in the context of transition planning. Below is a summary of the first session, which focused on legacy business and risks.

Executive remuneration is a pivotal tool for driving climate action. Our latest guide for non-executives, "Climate action and remuneration: A pocket guide for remuneration committees", delves into the critical intersection of executive pay structures and climate goals, providing actionable insights for chairs and members of remuneration committees.

For the eighth consecutive year, RRA interviewed dozens of experts to identify the governance trends that will affect boards in 2023.

Now in its 27th edition, the 2022 UK Spencer Stuart Board Index is a comprehensive review of board composition and governance practice in the largest 150 companies in the FTSE rankings, providing a valuable perspective on the health of boardrooms during 2021–2022.

In 2021, the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with WTW, published the Executive Compensation Guidebook for Climate Transition. This instructive guide explored how to drive climate strategy by meaningfully embedding it within executive compensation frameworks. this addendum is intended to be read in conjunction with the original Guidebook.

The Chapter Zero Board Toolkit is designed to help non-executive directors (NEDs) ensure their businesses have the strategic plans in place to respond to climate change.

PWC's checklist on climate reporting for audit committees.

Watch this Chapter Zero and Deloitte Academy webinar, which, given the context of COP16, focused on how companies can utilise data and technology to measure, monitor, and manage their impact on nature. We also explored the critical role of data in evaluating your company's dependencies and influence on nature, as well as the cutting-edge technologies available for assessing your nature footprint.

Companies are increasingly incorporating ESG and climate measures under executive incentive plans. This creates a number of challenges for remuneration committees including setting appropriate targets, measuring and verifying progress and communicating the strategy with relevant stakeholders.

In partnership with Fidelio, watch Richard Gillingwater reflect on his tenure as SSE Chair, discuss the key challenges and offer advice to boards and chairs as they navigate the risks and opportunities associated with climate change.