Key takeaways

During London Climate Action Week 2026, Deloitte, Chapter Zero and the International Sustainability Standards Board held a roundtable discussion with chairs, non-executive directors and investors at the Deloitte Academy exploring focus areas for business to enhance resilience and transparency on climate. To benefit from these insights, read this summary of the discussion.

Hosted by Deloitte, convened by Chapter Zero and focused on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation, an audience of Chapter Zero and Deloitte Academy members heard how climate conversations in the boardroom are critical to business resilience and investible companies. The audience, including non-executive directors, considered the role of sustainability regulations in building a future-facing economy, both in the UK and globally.

Audit Committees play a vital role in catalysing climate action. From overseeing the assurance of sustainability data to mobilising reporting frameworks to deliver strategic direction beyond compliance, these committees are important, especially in relation to understanding and managing risk.

How boards can lead through geopolitical uncertainty and maintain momentum on climate was the topic under discussion at an event – entitled ‘Geopolitics, resilience and strategic courage’ – in which Chapter Zero partnered with McKinsey. From the shift in the status quo, to understanding the system we are working within, to the importance of board and executive leadership during uncertainty while continuing to innovate and decarbonise, the event offered Chapter Zero members insights into how boards can navigate the dual challenges.

In an online workshop, Chapter Zero and the Climate Governance Initiative explored the critical role of climate scenario analysis and planning for financial sector boards. The big question for the participants was: what does performing these exercises – to understand the future impact of climate on business – mean for boards; and what questions should non-executive directors (NEDs) ask?

It is a tough time to be driving forward sustainability initiatives, as many other issues are threatening to crowd out the climate conversation. In parallel, physical risks are becoming increasingly material across supply chains and impacting insurability, and investors and regulators are scrutinising transition plans to ensure that the companies they work with are fit for the future. Amid this uncertainty, the relationship between chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and non-executive directors (NEDs) is key to refocusing dialogues about sustainability as a strategic driver of growth and long-term value.

Chapter Zero, in collaboration with the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI), hosted a workshop during London Climate Action Week for non-executive directors and senior leaders of financial services firms. Delivered by Suzy Glass, Co-CEO of BRAE, the workshop explored how board members of financial services firms should communicate the business case for climate consistently and with conviction in the context of current geopolitical and ESG headwinds.

In collaboration with the Oliver Wyman Forum, as part of our transition planning materials, we launched this series of three interactive, masterclasses. The third masterclass focused on transition planning beyond the boardroom, exploring the ever-changing external landscape, engaging with key stakeholders, and considering the broader implications of business transition.

Explore the key takeaways from Chapter Zero and the Deloitte Academy's event "AI & Sustainability in Action - Leveraging technology for growth and a sustainable future", hosted in April 2025.

In this online session from Chapter Zero, the Climate Governance Initiative and the World Benchmarking Alliance​ (WBA), our speakers presented the Financial System Benchmark 2025 results and why the leaders are leading. The session offered Financial Sector (FS) Board members and executive teams a clear view of their institution's performance relative to peers and how this has been measured, particularly regarding governance and strategy.