Systemic Impact
Drive policy changes that accelerate the transition
Stakeholder Trust
Build trust with customers, employees, and investors
Level Playing Field
Create fair conditions for climate leaders
Influencing the rules, standards, and public narratives that shape low-carbon markets by advocating for science-based policy, aligning industry associations with 1.5°C, and making low-carbon, circular choices the norm.
Why it matters for net zero?
These frameworks and norms accelerate adoption of climate solutions and remove value-chain barriers, enabling progress not only in their own operations but across entire systems, especially where external dependencies slow down climate action.
How it benefits companies?
Science-aligned advocacy strengthens credibility, reduces regulatory and reputational risk, and creates an enabling environment for long-term, future-proof business success. Companies help set the direction of the new economy and avoid being caught unprepared by future regulations.
What is Climate Policy & Advocacy?
Climate policy and advocacy refers to how companies use their voice and influence to shape the broader environment for climate action. This includes supporting ambitious climate policies, aligning lobbying activities with climate goals, and leading collaborative initiatives.
Business leadership is essential for systemic change. When companies speak up for ambitious climate policy, they send a powerful signal to policymakers and help create the conditions for faster, fairer climate action.
Companies that lead on policy and advocacy build trust with stakeholders, attract talent who want to work for purpose-driven organizations, and help create a level playing field that rewards climate leaders.
Focus Areas
Pillar 5 covers 5 key focus areas. Each represents a distinct domain of action within this pillar.
Direct Policy Engagement
Engaging directly with policymakers and regulators to advocate for ambitious climate policy.
Industry Association Alignment
Ensuring that industry association memberships and activities are aligned with 1.5°C goals.
Public Advocacy & Communications
Using public communications and media to advocate for climate action and ambitious policy.
Business Coalitions & Initiatives
Joining and leading business coalitions, pledges, and collaborative initiatives for climate action.
Governance & Transparency
Embedding climate into board governance and disclosing policy positions and lobbying activities.
Planning Your Approach
Review your positions
Audit your company's policy positions, lobbying activities, and industry association memberships for climate alignment.
Align lobbying
Ensure all lobbying and political engagement supports ambitious climate policy.
Engage associations
Work to align industry associations with climate goals, or reconsider membership if they obstruct progress.
Speak up publicly
Advocate publicly for ambitious climate policies at local, national, and international levels.
Lead collaboration
Join and lead business coalitions and initiatives driving climate action.
Report transparently
Disclose your policy positions, lobbying activities, and association memberships publicly.
Key Actions to Take
Policy Alignment
- Align all lobbying with 1.5°C pathway
- Support ambitious climate policies publicly
- Engage constructively with policymakers on climate
Industry Associations
- Review industry association positions on climate
- Work to align associations with climate goals
- Reconsider membership in obstructive associations
Public Advocacy
- Communicate climate leadership externally
- Support climate campaigns and initiatives
- Engage media on climate policy issues
Governance
- Integrate climate into board governance
- Link executive compensation to climate performance
- Report transparently on policy engagement
Climate Performance Review Actions
These actions from the official Climate Performance Review (CPR) Form 2025 provide a comprehensive assessment framework for Pillar 5. Use these to evaluate your progress:
Align all lobbying and political engagement with 1.5°C pathway.
Review and address misalignment in industry association positions.
Advocate publicly for ambitious climate policies.
Support carbon pricing and other market-based climate policies.
Integrate climate into board governance and oversight.
Link executive compensation to climate performance.
Join and lead business coalitions for climate action.
Communicate climate leadership to employees, customers, and investors.
Report transparently on policy positions and lobbying activities.
Support just transition policies and initiatives.
Your Strategic Position
Understand where your organization stands and what's possible at each stage of readiness for Pillar 5.
Foundation
Building the basics
Key Capabilities
- Policy positions reviewed
- Lobbying audit completed
- Initial public statements
- Association review started
Advancing
Systematic transformation
Key Capabilities
- Lobbying fully aligned
- Active policy advocacy
- Coalition participation
- Regular public engagement
Leadership
Driving industry change
Key Capabilities
- Leading policy advocacy
- Driving association change
- High-profile climate champion
- Full transparency on engagement