Climate Science
Broader context
In 2020, the global temperature surpassed pre-industrial levels by 1.1C
If global temperatures continue to rise, they could trigger nine 'climate tipping points,' which could cause climate change to spiral sharply and irreversibly beyond our control. At 3.2° C, Miami, Dhaka, Shanghai, Hong Kong and one hundred other cities would be flooded.
The nine ‘climate tipping points’ will be caused by ice sheet melting, ocean circulation changes and living ecosystems shifts.
Carbon brief tipping points - open in a new window
On the other hand, international cooperation and technological advances are fostering positive tipping points that can help us solve the climate crisis:
A positive tipping point happens when a zero-carbon solution advances to a point where it outcompetes the existing high-carbon solution. Once reached, self-reinforcing ’feedback loops’ (such as learning by doing effects, economies of scale, the emergence of complementary technologies, and the spread of new social norms) drive exponential growth in the adoption of the new solution and a rapid decline of the old.
For example, green ammonia, electric vehicles and plant-based proteins are already causing a breakthrough effect.
By following these guiding principles for effective climate governance, you will also be fulfilling your duties as a board director and helping to ensure that the organisation has a robust climate strategy and delivery plan which is not deemed as greenwashing.
Broader context
The principles and guidance build on existing corporate governance frameworks, such as the International Corporate Governance Network’s (ICGN) Global Governance Principles, as well as other climate risk and resilience guidelines, such as the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate- Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
The drafting process involved extensive consultation with over 50 executive and non-executive board directors, as well as important organisational decision-makers, including chief executives, and financial and risk officers. Input was also gained from experts from professional and not-for-profit organisations.
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- Read this summary on the latest climate science is provided by the IPCC in it’s Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Report.
- More information on climate tipping points in ‘How 16 Tipping Points Could Push Our Entire Planet Into Crisis’ and ‘Scientist Johan Rockström Explains Earth's Climate Tipping Points’
More information on positive tipping points in ‘The Breakthrough Effect’