Business Associations Climate Action Guide

“As central hubs for major sectors of the economy, industry associations and professional bodies can play a pivotal role in accelerating, scaling up and aligning science-based action to transition to a just, resilient net zero emissions future with no more than 1.5C of warming.” 

Razan Al Mubarak

UN Climate Change High-Level Climate Champion for COP28

“Companies’ own climate commitments ring hollow if they are not also looking at the wider ecosystem in which they operate. Business associations hold huge sway in the climate policy landscape and can have a vast impact on the speed of the transition. It’s essential that companies are transparent about who is representing them and unrelenting in the climate commitment they expect from them.  Promisingly, we are now seeing positive trends in this space and this Guide for Trade Associations may accelerate this.”

Catherine McKenna

CEO of Climate and Nature Solutions, Chair of UN Secretary-General’s High-level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments, former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Business associations have the power to help drive climate policy action. The Business Associations Climate Action Guide clarifies what steps businesses should take to assess, align and accelerate their business associations in achieving climate policy ambition. Unilever is pleased that our recent review of associations is featured as a case study in the guide. We hope a combination of constructive partnerships and increased scrutiny will not only support Unilever in achieving its climate goals but will also create a ripple effect for other companies working in this area.”

Fiona Duggan

Global Sustainability Senior Manager – Climate Advocacy, Unilever

“The Business Associations Climate Action Guide clearly explains how companies and business associations can best use their combined power to advocate for the right policies to support– and not hinder – progress towards humanity’s common goals. This type of action is not only good for the planet but ultimately benefits the bottom line.”

Paul Polman

Ambassador of the Race to Zero & Race to Resilience

”Addressing the planetary crisis will require maximum addition on all fronts – we simply can’t afford business as usual. Aligning those that speak on our behalf is necessary. This guide helps us spend no more time than needed to make that happen.”

David Ekelund

CEO Icebug

“The future of humanity depends upon this generation becoming better planetary stewards. Business associations have a crucial role in supporting governments in implementing the policies required to keep global warming close to 1.5°C to limit the risk for irreversible tipping points. Companies  should apply their influence to ensure that business associations they are part of are aligned with the 1.5°C ambition. The goal of this guide is to support that work.”

Johan Falk

CEO and Co-founder, Exponential Roadmap Initiative

“In the race against climate change, companies must have strong and positive policy engagement strategies, including active involvement with their trade associations, to achieve their transition plans. The Business Associations Climate Action Guide outlines crucial steps for businesses to drive meaningful policy engagement and achieve their net-zero ambitions.”

Jennie Dodson

Senior Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

“Evidence shows that much of corporate influence on public policy comes not directly but through trade associations. Evidence also shows that some trade associations are actively diluting, delaying or blocking progress on climate, nature and human rights policy. This is why it is so crucial that companies prioritise increased accountability and transparency on trade association policy advocacy. This includes disclosing and addressing any misalignments between their advocacy principles and practice and that of their trade associations, to ensure that their policy and advocacy engagement is aligned with their climate, nature and equity goals and in line with the Global Standards on Responsible Policy Engagement.”

Jules Peck

Partner, ERM, chair of the Positive Policy Engagement workstream WBCSD, author of the UN Guidelines on Responsible Policy Engagement

“Taking steps to align business association memberships with the Paris Agreement goals is a key opportunity for companies to effect change outside of their direct operations by advocating for a policy environment that incentivises the decarbonisation of all sectors, levels the playing field, and rewards climate leaders over climate laggards. This, in turn, can help create the enabling conditions to drive emissions reductions within the company and across its value chain. This guide offers a valuable step-by-step overview of how companies can achieve this alignment.”

Steve Kenzie

Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network UK

“At CAFA we recognise that the emphasis on decarbonising industry and supply chains will only grow, and it’s crucial that Associations put the right policies in place and provide the necessary support for their members to take action. As the remainder of the decisive decade becomes increasingly crucial for achieving net zero, Associations must take proactive leadership and seize the opportunity to drive change for good.”

Alison Heppenstall

Executive Director and Founder, Climate Action for Associations

“Increasing numbers of companies are setting climate targets and taking action, and supportive government policies will enable these to be achieved at speed and at lower cost. We are working with companies on how they can encourage the creation of robust climate policies by becoming responsible advocates. This includes raising awareness of internal processes that need to be set in motion, joining advocacy efforts and ways to engage trade associations. This guide is a welcome addition to the business public affairs toolkit to support companies to assess and align industry bodies according to best practice.”

Dominic Gogol

Deputy Director Policy, We Mean Business Coalition

“At InfluenceMap we consistently find that across all sectors and regions, industry associations are among the most obstructive actors on climate policy. Individual companies urgently need to call out and push back on this behaviour if they are going to make meaningful strides to align their business and Net Zero plans with science aligned climate goals.”

Dylan Tanner

CEO InfluenceMap

“Political influence is one of the most powerful tools companies have to fight climate change. Since much corporate political influence happens via business associations, ensuring these associations are aligned and active on climate policy is essential. This guide is an important contribution that will help forward-thinking companies get to grips with how to handle this issue and take the necessary action.”

Louise Kjellerup Roper

CEO, Volans

“Iberdrola embraces an ambitious and robust approach to climate advocacy, actively engaging within a diverse range of organizations across various sectors, including international organizations, business associations, and NGOs. This guide will sharpen our engagement with the ecosystem, including managing misalignments through active dialogue with key actors in business associations, and fostering connections among different organizations to build collaboration platforms.”

Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera

Global Director of Climate Change and Alliances, Iberdrola