CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NOW

The We Mean Business coalition argues that corporate climate leadership must integrate three pillars: Ambition (setting science-based targets), Action (transforming core business strategies and value chains), and Advocacy (pushing for pro-climate government policies). The report emphasizes that to avoid the sharply growing costs of temperature rises above 1.5°C, global emissions must halve by 2030, and businesses must transition to net-zero by 2050 at the latest. It highlights the necessity of independent verification, executive accountability, and a 'just transition' that considers social equity and workforce reskilling. The framework also stresses the importance of consistency in lobbying, urging companies to ensure their trade associations do not undermine their public climate commitments.

• To limit global warming to 1.5°C, the world requires a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, specifically that global emissions halve by 2030.
• Corporate climate leadership is defined by three integrated components: Ambition, Action, and Advocacy. Ambition involves a vision for a net-zero future with science-based targets; Action requires business transformation and innovation; and Advocacy involves using corporate influence to secure pro-change government policy.
• Credible business ambition requires setting science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with a 1.5°C limit, with a commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, though leaders are encouraged to aim for 2040 or earlier.
• Effective climate action must extend beyond direct operations (Scope 1) and electricity (Scope 2) to include the wider value chain (Scope 3), requiring collaboration with suppliers and customers.
• A 'just transition' is essential for corporate leaders to build public support, requiring dialogue with workers and communities to minimize risks and create inclusive green jobs through reskilling and redeployment.
• Companies must ensure consistency in their policy engagement, specifically by managing misaligned messages from trade associations and think tanks that may lobby against science-based climate policies.
• Accountability for climate goals must reside with executive management boards, and climate performance should be integrated into board members' incentives and employee training.

APA

Balch, O. (n.d.). CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NOW. We Mean Business Coalition. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Climate-Leadership-Now-9-20.pdf

Chicago

Balch, Oliver. CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NOW. We Mean Business Coalition, n.d. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Climate-Leadership-Now-9-20.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Balch |first1=Oliver |title=CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NOW |publisher=We Mean Business Coalition |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Climate-Leadership-Now-9-20.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{balchndclimate, author = {Balch, Oliver}, title = {{CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NOW}}, institution = {We Mean Business Coalition}, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Climate-Leadership-Now-9-20.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }