Genuine Commitment and Explicit Net Zero Targets [Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance]

As pressure mounts from stakeholders, sustainability has never been a bigger focus for boards.

Investors, lawmakers, regulators, employees, and customers are all focused on sustainability, and often wonder if the board is doing enough to set up the company for long-term success in an increasingly sustainability-minded environment. Around the world—from regulators in Europe to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US—governments are actively considering new standards for consistent disclosure on sustainability related topics. Our research shows that 73% of boards are discussing sustainability strategy at least once per year, and 65% of directors say their board is making a genuine commitment to sustainability.

I had the pleasure of assisting Rusty O’Kelley, Rich Fields, and Laura Sanderson with this article, which was published by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance.