Ep.17: Finding a voice for corporate climate policy action

With 2030 climate goals fast approaching and 2050 targets no longer seeming so far off, we’re amid a pivotal decade for climate action. Meanwhile, 2024 is on track for being the hottest year on record, with extreme weather having devastated communities across the globe. Yet, climate is at best a secondary issue in the presidential election discourse — and few companies are speaking up to advocate for stronger climate policy action.

As global temperatures continue to rise and we see the negative effects of a warming world, it’s becoming clear that businesses can’t address the climate crisis through voluntary action alone.?Businesses need good policy to shape the rules of engagement that unlock private sector innovation to tackle tough sustainability challenges like climate.? Many companies with sound corporate sustainability strategies aren’t speaking up in the policy arena for fear of alienating customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders.?

In this episode, Mike speaks with Bill Weihl and Deborah McNamara of ClimateVoice a nonprofit that leverages the power of corporate influence from climate-positive companies to win crucial policy battles. Without getting too political, we explore the challenges companies face around advocating on climate policy, and the opportunities they face in ensuring that they back up their sustainability communication with policy action.

Check out the full transcript for this episode on the Hower Impact website. You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.