WBCSD has designed the CO_LAB model to align businesses, governments, finance and civil society around shared sustainability problems, guide effective problem-solving, and deliver coordinated action and co-investment.
CO_LAB builds on the main finding from our Public-Private Collaboration Evidence Base. We need new institutional architecture across all levels – from local landscapes to transcontinental supply chains – to align stakeholders around delivering impactful outcomes.
CO_LAB also builds on WBCSD’s experience of establishing, operating and participating in multistakeholder collaborations and supports our organizational priority to grow the impact and reach of our members’ value chains by mobilizing regional collective action and co-investment.
Builds Alignment
CO_LAB fosters trust between stakeholders and shared ownership of the process and outcomes
Integrated Approach
CO_LAB connects stakeholders around a shared problem, mission and solutions, instead of just one aspect of the cycle.
Focus on Impact
CO_LAB focuses on co-creating solutions that provide both business value and sustainability impact.
Systemic
CO_LAB tackles the root causes of problems through cross-sector collaboration, rather than addressing symptoms of problems, or focusing on single issues in isolation.
Shifts the Paradigm
CO_LAB moves engagement on from traditional “talk and agree” to “align, co-create and deliver”.
What We Are Learning
WBCSD is continuously evolving our CO_LAB approach to support the next generation of regional collaborations between businesses, governments, finance, and civil society. Our Knowledge Hub houses our insights on strengthening public-private collaboration and advancing collective action and co-investment.