Insights

Imagine: You are on the board of a global fashion brand. Over the next five years, you will be asked to vote on major dilemmas the company is facing as they move towards a sustainable future. Can you steer this board through a climate- and nature-positive transition?

For boards, COP30 is a lighthouse reminder that evolving climate policy is reshaping regulation and markets, making it essential to "integrate climate, biodiversity, and social factors into strategy."

The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) has released a note examining the synergies between climate scenario analysis and transition planning. It highlights how scenario analysis can guide strategic decision-making and risk mitigation, while transition plans can provide valuable insights for designing and applying climate scenarios.

COP30 in Belém, Brazil, marks a pivotal moment for board directors to align corporate strategy with global climate goals. The briefing urges action on climate finance, nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and just transitions. Directors must engage, adapt governance, and drive business leadership to accelerate impactful climate action.

Climate COPs, biodiversity COPs and even desertification COPs have brought governments together; they have also given the planet a seat at the table. But let’s not forget that these occasions also drive private sector action, says Chapter Zero Senior Advisor Matt Scott.

As the world is buffeted by major challenges, the sound judgement and trusted voice of Boards and senior business leaders is more important than ever. Through leadership, vision and clarity of message, we must come together to tell the story of the transition, says Vicky Moffatt, Chief Executive of Chapter Zero.

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)’s “Asking Better Questions on Nature” guide for board directors, created in collaboration with Chapter Zero, Competent Boards, the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative and the Green Finance Institute, was the subject of a vibrant discussion on 27 June. The London Climate Action Week event was opened by Richard Andrews (Head of ESG, KPMG in the UK) and Rhian-Mari Thomas (CEO, Green Finance Institute). Attendees were given valuable insights into the resource and TNFD’s work by Tony Goldner (CEO, TNFD). After which followed a panel discussion moderated by Vicky Moffatt (CEO, Chapter Zero) with speakers: Dame Amelia Fawcett (Co-Chair, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits), David Alfrey (Partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP) and Helle Bank Jørgensen (Global Managing Director, Board Development at Board Intelligence, Founder, Competent Boards). Natalie Shippen (Executive director, Commonwealth Climate and Law initiative) rounded out the event with thoughtful closing remarks.