Climate change governance and the board chair of the future
Accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon future
Balancing high performance demands and accelerating climate change initiatives.
The roles a board chair must play are expanding and the demands on their boards are high and intense, with no signs of slowing down. In a sea of competing priorities, how can chairs and boards help build momentum to meet the sustainability challenge head-on?
Our research reveals that chairs will need to: maintain a laser-like focus on sustainability while considering the long term in both their thinking and investments; manage a wide range of sometimes conflicting expectations; keep abreast of the fast-moving regulatory environment; and help ensure their boards have the appropriate knowledge base and skills to address the climate challenge—to name just a few.
Below, we’ve included some key considerations and questions board members can focus on to advance these discussions in the boardroom and make meaningful progress. If you’d like to take a deeper dive, you can read the full report on our Global website at Role of the board in climate change governance | Deloitte Insights (English only).
Methodology
Deloitte Global Boardroom Program's Chair of the future report synthesizes insights from more than 230 board chairs across 17 geographies, collected from 2022 to 2024 through interviews, roundtable discussions, and surveys. It includes perspectives from both listed and private entities, including a number of large family businesses.
Six questions to assess board readiness for climate governance
How can we most effectively integrate the climate agenda into business strategy?
How do we balance the investments necessary for climate transformation with pressures for short-term results?
How can we manage divergent interests and expectations while meeting regulatory developments?
How can committees work best to support the board’s broader climate agenda?
Are we doing enough to boost our climate literacy?
In my role as chair, how can I advocate for meaningful change?
Addressing the climate challenge requires long-term investment, measurement, and accountability
Chairs’ ideas on bringing climate strategy and business strategy together
Providing stewardship amid multiple expectations
The leading practices chairs deploy to effectively lead across diverse groups
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Committee work enables boards to delve deeper and better support the climate agenda
Chairs see the benefits that a separate sustainability committee brings
Taking steps to bolster boards’ climate acumen
Four key ways chairs are addressing the learning curve
Advocating for change: Advice for the chair of the future
Collective wisdom from current chairs on how to tackle the climate challenge
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