Net Zero Boardroom Value: An Audience with Dax Grant

Dax Grant is an entrepreneur with vast experience leading innovation for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 organisations. Today she is the CEO of Global Transform, which enables CEOs and executives to accelerate business results through enterprise leadership, entrepreneurialism, and technology. At our recent leadership summit, the Race to Net Zero, Dax discussed the changing nature of C-suite leadership and how we can work together to drive the Environmental, Society and Governance (ESG) agenda in the boardroom.

Societal leadership

If there was a strong focus on net zero before COP26, it’s become a laser focus since. From start-ups to FTSE boards, organisations across the world are realising that their actions are closely connected. Rather than working to reduce their emissions in isolation, they need to partner more effectively in the marketplace and have more detailed and specific conversations about ESG. The result is that net zero is getting a platform of its own in organisations.

The new boardroom

“My advice to you all is to keep that long-term in mind” - Dax Grant

Today’s boardroom is evolving. Organisations are becoming more esoteric in their thinking and societal leadership is the new norm. Purpose-centred organisations understand that their long-term actions – in fact, our actions as a society – add up. Business leaders now realise that they’re a part of the agenda, rather than being obliged to take certain actions because that’s what they’re supposed to be doing. “I have never heard purpose mentioned more than in the last 24 months,” said Dax. “It’s how you take the ESG agenda and embed it in your organisation, and how you play both in the local and global economy. Getting that into the culture of your organisation takes time.”

Leading the agenda

From a business point of view, achieving net zero offers us all an opportunity to differentiate. The younger generations are very ethical in their thinking. People are increasingly interested in where and how an organisation sources its products. Rather than looking at it as a regulatory tick-box, getting involved in the net zero space allows your organisation to climb into the box seat and set the pace. Reporting your emissions targets and progress can be beneficial in several ways. As well as helping you keep track of how you’re getting on, it also positions you as a leader in the marketplace and encourages action from your peers.

Size doesn’t matter

“Weave it through the culture of your organisation rather than just saying ‘we’re going to do some stuff’”- Dax Grant

We’ve seen a significant culture shift in organisational attitudes towards environmental protection, regardless of size. Recognising their contribution to society, small and medium sized firms and not-for-profits understand that it’s not all about the big actions and are stepping up to ensure urgent action isn’t left to large corporations. Many hands make light work, as the saying goes. At the same time, larger organisations are showing the kind of entrepreneurial leadership you might expect to see in start-ups, which will hopefully help to generate new ideas. Top quartile FTSE and Fortune firms recognise that net zero needs to be part of their strategic plan, and that they need to empower local action to ensure the teams closest to a particular challenge are given the opportunity to tackle it.

Conclusion: Net Zero is a social imperative

The world’s changing, organisations are changing, and attitudes are changing. In response, boardrooms are now placing ESG much higher on the agenda and actively partnering across the marketplace to make a difference. Given that people will increasingly base purchasing decisions, and decisions about where they work, on an organisation’s CSR, climate action is not just the right action – it’s a social imperative.

For Dax’s top tips on helping your organisation get to net zero, check out our key takeaways from the event in The Race to Net Zero: Four Experts Advice on Becoming Carbon Neutral

If you’re looking for your next senior role or for the right Net Zero or ESG leader to help you reach you objectives, please contact Matt Parkin.

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Race to Net Zero: Advice on Becoming Carbon Neutral