Research reveals board directors prioritise growth and innovation to address climate challenges, but feel they can’t adequately influence action
The Climate Governance Initiative and Kantar today publish Empowering board directors to drive climate action, a global study of 240 independent board directors that provides a pulse-check on how well they are influencing sustainability practices in their organisations.
The findings highlight that while almost all board directors (96%) feel able to influence their organisation’s direction on climate change, almost nine in 10 (88%) are calling for new forms of leadership from the boardroom to address climate challenges. This includes a mindset shift on climate and adopting new leadership and collaboration techniques.
More than four in five independent board directors (84%) report that climate action is a mid-high priority on their board’s agenda, rising to 89% of chairpersons interviewed. Of the six countries surveyed, board members in the UK are most likely to be prioritising climate, with 94% saying it’s a mid-high priority (compared with 74% in the US).
But despite average global temperatures rising to 1.5% above pre-industrial levels in 2024, for many organisations there is still work to be done on the climate transition, the research shows. Not only that, organisations are missing out on growth through sustainable action: more than half of organisations (52%) are not expected to publish a transition plan in the next 12 months, despite the vast majority of respondents (84%) saying that climate is an innovation opportunity for businesses. While most respondents are optimistic about their ability to shape the climate conversation in their businesses, there are several high priority climate action areas they feel less able to influence. Value chain engagement and product and services development are the two areas with the biggest gap, reflecting a disconnect between board directors’ strategic ambition and their organisation’s implementation.
Looking ahead, strategy and business models (55%), reporting (47%) and compliance (38%) are the key areas of focus for boards in 2025.
“This study clearly demonstrates the transformative impact that engaged external board directors can have on their organisations’ response to the climate challenge. But many still feel unable to influence important elements of transition planning and delivery. Now’s the time for board directors to enhance their knowledge, build confidence and equip themselves with the skills they need to tackle the pressing climate challenges of our time.”
Emily Farnworth, Executive Director, Climate Governance Initiative
Emily Farnworth, Executive Director, Climate Governance Initiative“It’s reassuring that board directors see the transition as critical to business resilience. However, their influence over activation areas like product development and value chain engagement is limited due to the nature of their roles. Addressing the widespread strategy-action gap is essential, alongside new forms of leadership, enhanced communications skills and a focus on sustainable growth and opportunity. And with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive still on the horizon, and reporting taking up so much airtime, it’s encouraging that board directors are still making strategy their top climate priority for 2025.”
Jonathan Hall, Executive Managing Director, Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice
Jonathan Hall, Executive Managing Director, Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation PracticeNotes to editors
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 with Chapters in over 70 countries worldwide, reaching more than 100,000 chairs, non-executive and independent directors.
Get in touch
Daniel Aspel | Senior Communications Manager, Climate Governance Initiative | daniel.aspel@chapterzeroalliance.org
About Kantar – Kantar is the world’s leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world’s top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. For more information, please get in touch with press@kantar.com.
About the study – Kantar conducted 24 in-depth interviews with independent board directors (sometimes called non-executive or outside directors) across a range of sectors in 6 countries: the UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Germany, and Brazil between June and November 2024. An additional quantitative impact survey was carried out in the same markets. In total, 242 board directors responded, of which 69 were chairs. Data has been weighted to ensure each market contributes equally to the overall figure, with a weighted base of 48 per country.
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