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Climate change is shaping a new reality, creating risks and opportunities for business in a diverse number of ways. Investors, regulators and other stakeholders are now challenging companies to take responsibility by adopting an integrated, strategic approach to addressing the climate emergency.

Many, if not most, boardrooms are grappling with how to frame the risks and opportunities and embed a viable adaptation strategy into their business models.  Boards of directors play a critical role as they have the important duty of ensuring the long-term stewardship of the organizations they oversee. 

The World Economic Forum (the “Forum”) has developed a set of Climate Governance Principles (“CGI Principles”) for boards of directors, set out  in its white paper, How to Set Up Effective Climate Governance on Corporate Boards: Guiding Principles and Questions. They aim to enable directors to gain climate awareness and skills, embed climate considerations into board decision-making, and understand and act upon the risks and opportunities that the climate emergency poses to the long-term resilience and business success of their organizations.

The CGI Community is composed of directors and subject matter experts, organized in a global network of 20+  national or regional chapters, whose purpose is to promote the adoption of the Forum’s CGI Principles by mobilizing, educating and equipping their director members with the skills and knowledge necessary to address climate change at the board level.  The ICD is the host of the Canadian chapter of the CGI, “Chapter Zero Canada”.

Mission Statement of Chapter Zero Canada


  • Chapter Zero Canada aims to bring together the expertise of leaders in the climate governance space to meaningfully contribute to the discourse on climate change and competitiveness in Canada.  Specifically, it aims to mobilize the corporate director community through education based on the CGI Principles as contextualized for Canada, on strategies for embedding climate considerations into Canadian boardrooms’ strategic decision making.  It believes that as the long-term stewards of Canadian organizations, the corporate director community has an important role in ensuring the climate change journey in Canada is one that leads to a sustainable future and a robust, competitive Canadian economy.

Why the ICD


  • The ICD is a not-for-profit, member-based association whose purpose is to improve trust and confidence in Canadian organizations by developing and activating directors. With more than 15,000 members and a network of 11 regional Chapters across Canada, the ICD’s members span all sectors of the economy and oversee well in excess of $1 trillion in market capitalization and institutions that impact the lives of virtually every Canadian. No other organization in Canada is better positioned, both in mission and reach, to impact the discourse on climate change at the board level.

Chapter Zero Canada: Shaping a Sustainable, Competitive and Prosperous Future

Legal Primer on Climate Change: Directors’ Duties and Disclosure Obligations

The Climate Strategy Advisory Board


  • The Climate Strategy Advisory Board (“CSAB”) is a committee of leaders in the Canadian corporate governance and/or climate change space who are tasked with providing the subject matter expertise to help shape the substance of Chapter Zero Canada’s strategic work.

     

COP26

With COP26 front of mind and momentum building for potentially ambitious policy commitments, now is a critical time for boards to engage with the impacts of climate change.
    •  The ICD is proud to be part of a global network of directors’ forums, the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI)
    • The CGI, of which the ICD is a contributor, is committed to promoting effective climate governance practices and behaviours on boards of directors, building on the World Economic Forum’s Principles for Effective Climate Governance.
    • The CGI has provided a statement to coincide with COP26, in order to elevate awareness of the role boards have in fighting climate change. Read the statement here

The Climate Strategy Advisory Board Members

Kathy Bardswick Headshot
Christopher Burley Headshot
Denise Carpenter, ICD.D, GCB.D Headshot
Andy Chisholm Headshot
Miranda Hubbs Headshot
Sarah Keyes, CPA, CA Headshot
Mark Podlasly Headshot
Annette Verschuren, O.C. Headshot
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