WBCSD Head of Climate Base Camp 2024: Leading the Charge for Climate Action 

Potsdam (Germany), 18-21 June 2024: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) recently concluded the second edition of its Head of Climate Base Camp, an immersive experience aimed at empowering climate leaders from multinational companies.  

Over three days, 20 Heads of Climate engaged in an immersive program led by Thomas Bruhn from the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) and Jenny Kwan, Director of Climate Action & Accountability. The gathering highlighted the importance of collaboration and relationship building, encouraging participants to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices and foster connections with their peers. 

System Transformation & Personal Leadership 

A significant theme that emerged from the event was the essential transformation of organizational culture and mindset in response to the uncertainty surrounding climate change. Throughout the event, participants actively engaged in discussions focusing on specific challenges and opportunities crucial for their organizations’ progress towards achieving their net zero targets and climate ambitions.  

A highlight of the event was a candid exchange with Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities. McKenna’s insights into bridging unexpected stakeholders and testimony of determination were notable, fostering in-depth discussions on personal resilience, the implications of climate policy for various industries and the complex intricacies of transformation. 

The event also benefited from the contribution of Dr. Maximilian Kotz, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Dr. Kotz provided a detailed analysis of the economic impacts of climate change, emphasizing detailed macroeconomic implications and its ties with corporate performance. 

The event is such a unique opportunity to really improve one’s own performance in the role and to increase the opportunity that we can bring to our companies to have the impact that we are all driving for.

- Kara Fulcher – Director of Sustainability, North America, Michelin 

Fostering Collaborative Communities 

The platform provided a dynamic space for climate leaders to engage in peer learning, fostering the exchange of valuable insights, discussions on challenges and the sharing of successful strategies for addressing climate issues within their respective organizations. Attendees participated in collaborative problem-solving sessions, working together to discover innovative approaches and solutions.  

Through interactive workshops and expert guidance, the participants crafted their personal action plans tailored to their specific roles. The event also facilitated a unique opportunity for participants to form connections with peers across various sectors and geographical locations. As a result of the event, many attendees expressed a sense of revitalization and a renewed commitment to drive systemic transformation within their organizations. 

It has been a time to sit back, reflect & refresh. I feel very energized going back to my business now to be able to lookout for alternative solutions to some of the challenges that we to deal with.

- Busola Lagoke, Head of Environmental Delivery, Group Sustainability Office, Dentsu

Stay tuned for updates on the next edition of the WBCSD Head of Climate Base Camp and how you can contribute to the movement towards a net-zero world. For more information on future events and WBCSD’s Climate Action initiatives, contact climate@wbcsd.org.