How to Write an Impactful Corporate Climate Statement

This guide from the World Resources Institute outlines how corporations can write and promote impactful public statements to support U.S. climate policy. It recommends that statements be specific, linked to business interests, and delivered by the CEO via high-visibility platforms. It also stresses the importance of distancing the company from trade associations that lobby against climate action and emphasizes the current political window provided by the FY23 budget and reconciliation discussions in the U.S. Congress.

• To be impactful, corporate climate statements should support specific and current policy measures rather than vague 'climate action', clearly explain the business rationale for this support, and explicitly denounce any contradictory lobbying efforts by the company's trade and industry associations.
• The effectiveness of a climate statement is increased when it is delivered by the CEO, as this signals company-wide alignment and importance. While Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) can assist in promotion, they are less effective as the primary voice.
• Promotion of climate statements should target policymakers and decision-makers using high-visibility platforms—such as CEO op-eds, TV appearances, or paid advertising—rather than relying on quiet social media posts or website updates.
• While NGOs can help organize statements, the messaging is most powerful when corporate voices lead. Companies should ensure their CEO signs the letter and includes the company logo to maintain a corporate voice.
• The guide emphasizes the urgency of corporate support for climate policy in the U.S. Congress during debates on the FY23 budget package and reconciliation packages, noting that many climate provisions from the 2021 Build Back Better legislation still hold political capital.

APA

World Resources Institute (2022). How to Write an Impactful Corporate Climate Statement. https://www.wri.org/insights/how-write-impactful-corporate-climate-statement

Chicago

World Resources Institute. How to Write an Impactful Corporate Climate Statement. 2022. https://www.wri.org/insights/how-write-impactful-corporate-climate-statement.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=How to Write an Impactful Corporate Climate Statement |date=1 April 2022 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/how-write-impactful-corporate-climate-statement |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2022how, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{How to Write an Impactful Corporate Climate Statement}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/how-write-impactful-corporate-climate-statement}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }