Leading board directors from across the Climate Governance Initiative’s global network gathered at the World Economic Forum in Geneva for an annual workshop meeting this June. The two-day event – titled “Mobilizing Climate Leadership in Complex Times” – focused on equipping board leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to address climate and nature challenges at a company, sector, and regional level.
Forty attendees, comprising chairs, non-executive, and independent directors recognised for their climate leadership, engaged in discussions that explored the critical integration of climate and nature strategies. Further topics ranged from behavioural dynamics within the boardroom to the inherent obstacles and challenges of the net zero transition. These influential leaders hailed from over 20 countries and represented a diverse array of sectors, including financial services, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, and mining.
A central theme of the workshop was navigating complex dilemmas in the boardroom, drawing on real-life examples to provide actionable insights. Participants engaged in peer-to-peer learning, sharing best practices from their personal experiences. Discussions delved into exploring robust governance structures and principles essential for meeting the escalating climate and nature risks anticipated in the coming decade and beyond as well as the market opportunities for shaping and benefiting from the shift to a low-carbon economy. The workshop aimed to catalyse innovative board leadership by exploring the tools, partnerships, and stewardship mindset necessary to drive meaningful change.
“This was a tremendous two days with non-executive directors from our Climate Governance Initiative community around the world; and exemplified the network’s truly collegiate atmosphere. We had an opportunity to share experiences, listen to experts, and consider how to make the network even more effective in accelerating climate action.”
Julie Baddeley, Chair, Chapter Zero Alliance
Julie Baddeley, Chair, Chapter Zero Alliance“The energy, inspiration and ideas shared at this event will be carried forward onto company boards globally. These connections will only grow stronger over the coming years, and it’s communities such as this that are driving the change we need on climate and nature governance in the boardroom.”
Emily Farnworth, Executive Director of the Climate Governance Initiative
Emily Farnworth, Executive Director of the Climate Governance InitiativeThe urgency of these discussions was underscored by the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025, which highlights a concerning trend of “declining optimism.” The report reveals that whilst only 36% of global experts anticipate an elevated chance of global catastrophes in the next two years, two-thirds expect this within the next ten years. Alarmingly, nearly all listed environmental risks are included in the top 10 concerns for the next decade to 2035, with extreme weather events ranking as the top concern for the second year running. The 2025 report explicitly states that the top four global risks in the next decade are all environmental: extreme weather, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical changes to Earth systems, and natural-resource shortages.
Despite this stark outlook, a persistent challenge remains: how do boards, often characterised by a short-term mindset, effectively make the business case for addressing long-term, material risks and opportunities? The conversations helped to tackle this very question with many of the participants indicating that their learning and experience from the event had been inspirational.
Notes to editors
About the World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is the international organisation for public-private cooperation. It provides a global, impartial, and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connection between stakeholders to establish trust and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.
About the Climate Governance Initiative
The Climate Governance Initiative is a non-profit dedicated to mobilising boards to accelerate the transition to net zero and build climate resilience. We develop and support a global network that empowers and mobilises board directors on every continent to take climate action by enhancing their knowledge and skills in climate governance. We are a global network of 34 Chapters operating in over 70 countries worldwide, reaching more than 100,000 chairs, non-executive, and independent directors. Directors interested in becoming a member of their local Chapter and contributing to this vital work are encouraged to visit https://climate-governance.org/join-a-chapter/
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Daniel Aspel | Senior Communications Manager | Climate Governance Initiative
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