Spotlights on timely topics

The human aspects of climate and business: the climate-health nexus

Chapter Zero is working with Wellcome on a project to ensure boardrooms are addressing the critical climate-related health issues as part of good governance. The project points out: climate-health impacts are here, they are (becoming increasingly) material, they are by and large not being considered strategically by boards, the time for board action is now, and Chapter Zero and Wellcome are planning to arm non-executive directors with the knowledge and tools to drive rapid action at board level.

COP31: all eyes on Turkey

Ten key themes underpin COP31 in Turkey in 2026. From green industrialisation, dynamic and resilient health systems, clean energy transition to zero waste, COP31 promises to be a far-reaching event. COPs are about more than an agenda. What is needed is the transformation of promises into funded projects and progress towards three specific headline targets related to electrification, reduced global waste and resilient buildings.

Chapter Zero 2026 flagship event: 'Boards, climate and pathways to the new economy'

Chapter Zero’s annual flagship event excelled with a line-up of speakers including Lord Adair Turner, David Blood, Richard Gillingwater, Rachel Kyte and a host of other climate luminaries. They addressed issues related to governance, climate and the new economy, and  the relationships between them. Through peer exchange, expert insight and discussion, the event explored how board leadership on climate positions companies to compete in the new economy.

AI, climate, data and energy

Addressing AI, understanding its ability to support climate action and other challenges, learning about the data that informs the models and thinking through the energy required to power them are burning issues for boards. Non-executive directors will be thinking about these issues in the context of cutting emissions, alongside crucial business considerations such as capex, supply chains, products, markets and their fiduciary duty generally. It is therefore valuable for boards to think hard about their companies’ objectives in using AI, the value it delivers and its repercussions.

Delay is a decision too

Most commentators now accept that the world is warming and that we are causing it. The debate has moved on to whether to act, and when. A set of reasons not to act, or not yet, now appears regularly in the press and in boardrooms. Susan Hooper, Senior Independent Director of Chapter Zero, sets 18 reasons not to act on climate and checks each one against the evidence.

Securing planetary solvency: bringing climate risk to life

A new short film and event from Chapter Zero brought climate risk to life at FRAMELESS art gallery as part of a project aiming to inspire board directors to drive action on this critical issue.

Following the film's first screening, Lord Deben (John Gummer), former Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Emma Howard Boyd CBE, former Chair of the Environment Agency and the London Climate Resilience Review, and Anthony Hobley, Deputy Chair, Climate, Risk & Resilience, Howden Group, and Jeremy Mathieu, Head of Sustainability at ITV and non-executive director at BAFTA albert addressed the work of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and University of Exeter which suggests that current climate-scenario models are significantly underestimating climate risk and economic impact. The experts at this unique experiential and immersive event provided a powerful perspective on climate risk and the business case for urgent board action.

Chapter Zero member Survey 2026

The Chapter Zero member survey enables us to measure our impact. It is conducted annually, pro bono, by Kantar in two parts: qualitative and quantitative. We use all this information to measure our impact and report on it to our funders, develop our member offer and, importantly, communicate with members across our entire network. We know surveys take time which is why we have reduced it significantly this year. We are very grateful for all your feedback, either in the qualitative or quantitative parts of the survey, or preferably both.

Climate Competency in the Boardroom

The Climate Competency in the Boardroom report first sets out why climate sits at the heart of governance and strategic oversight. It then defines non-executive director climate competency and introduces a practical framework structured around knowledge, skills and leadership & mindset. In doing so, the framework seeks to provide a shared reference point for boards, board advisers (including search firms) and individual directors, helping to build a common understanding of the competencies needed for effective oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities within mainstream governance.

How Chapter Zero's impact shows up in case studies

Equipping and inspiring non-executive directors to lead on climate from the boardroom results in individual members and their boards taking climate action. This is Chapter Zero's purpose. We can track this impact through individual case studies. A collection of these impact case studies is set out below.

Policy matters: latest climate intel for NEDs

The clean economy transition is already underway and generating growth across the United Kingdom. ​Robust climate governance and leadership from boards and non-executive directors is crucial to maintain this direction and set the foundations for a thriving future economy that works for business and people. The ideas and resources on this page have been curated to help you embed climate policy and regulation into core business strategy to generate competitive advantage and ​mitigate ​transition risk.

Spotlight: Financial Services

Chapter Zero’s Financial Services Community is designed to equip and inspire non-executive directors (NEDs) from across the financial services ecosystem. The aim of these resources is to capture the opportunities of the climate transition, minimise risks, and secure long-term climate resilience for the financial sector.

Chapter Zero's member programme 2026

Chapter Zero has designed an extensive programme of events, publications, campaigns and media assets for the benefit of members across 2026. We look forward to seeing members and new joiners at our events, and to reading your feedback on our reports, briefings and campaign materials.