Ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders has issued an open letter urging governments and businesses to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient economy. The letter warns that the transition is under threat from mounting headwinds, with current global policies putting the world at risk of reaching 3°C warming by 2100, with severe consequences expected by 2050.
Seizing the climate economy opportunity
Despite real progress in clean energy, electrification, regenerative agriculture and circular business models, the transition is slowing under geopolitical tensions, fiscal pressures and policy uncertainty. Current trajectories suggest warming could exceed 2°C by mid-century, with severe impacts on economies, societies and ecosystems.
The Alliance warns that inaction is far costlier. Proven business cases exist in multiple sectors: renewable power delivers competitive returns, clean-tech markets exceed US$700 billion annually and circular models boost efficiency – opening up growth opportunities for businesses. Beyond economics, the transition strengthens energy security, creates millions of jobs, improves health and protects biodiversity.
“Climate action is no longer just a moral imperative – it is a powerful driver of green growth, innovation and resilience,” said Sebastian Buckup, Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum. “We urge governments and business leaders to act decisively and accelerate proven solutions so we can unlock the full potential of the climate economy and secure a more prosperous, sustainable future for all. Our work at the Forum aims to connect leaders for people, planet and sustainable progress.”
Public-private collaboration as the path forward
The open letter calls for 13 action areas to accelerate the transition and drive growth. It highlights the need for policy-makers to provide more stable frameworks, shorten permitting processes, scale climate finance, support breakthrough technologies, phase out unabated fossil fuels and invest in nature and resilience.
Business leaders, meanwhile, are urged to set science-based targets, cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions, collaborate across value chains on Scope 3, improve efficiency, drive innovation, create stronger demand signals for low-carbon solutions and invest in adaptation.
By working together, governments and businesses can accelerate the transition while unlocking lasting growth and competitiveness. Deeper collaboration, grounded in trust, shared ambition and commitment to a just transition, can turn climate action into an historic commercial opportunity, driving innovation, resilience and shared prosperity.
Read the open letter here: wef.ch/openletter2025
About the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders
The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders is one of the World Economic Forum’s flagship decarbonisation initiatives. It comprises over 130 companies in 27 countries and 12 industries. In terms of emissions, Alliance companies equate to the second-largest country in the world with a combined emissions footprint of 5.2Gt, accounting for 14 per cent of global emissions – equal to the annual emissions of the United States.
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