Business Leaders Guide to a Just Climate Transition

WBCSD and ERM launched the Business Leaders Guide to a Just Climate Transition. This practical guide supports senior leaders embed people considerations into climate strategies and lead the transition with integrity, build trust and future-proof operations.

Why this guide matters

In today’s evolving business landscape, integrating people considerations into climate strategies is a strategic imperative. The transition to a net-zero, nature-positive economy is not only technical – it is deeply social. Employees, suppliers, communities and consumers are central to this transformation. 

Overlooking people can have serious financial consequences. From litigation, project delays, and reputational harm to missed opportunities in new markets, supply chains, and access to capital.

For Boards and C-Suite leaders, this guide helps to close a critical gap. Until now, most climate strategies have focused on emissions and technology, leaving workforce and community impacts fragmented or reactive. This guide helps companies integrate people priorities into transition plans, ensuring climate action is fair, inclusive and resilient. 

What readers can expect

Ø  A clear business case for a just transition 

Ø  Insights on sectoral and regional dynamics to inform place-based approaches

Ø  Recommended actions for Boards and executives to align fiduciary duties with emerging due diligence expectations 

Ø  Practical steps to embed just transition thinking into climate strategies and transition plans

Ø  Case studies and best practices from leading companies

To find out more about WBCSD’s work on the just transition, please contact the People Action team at peopleaction@wbcsd.org