CPSL's business platforms set the standard for progressive business commentary and action on sustainability. We convene partners around problems of shared interest, then work with them to identify solutions and advocate change.

We focus on issues where business can have a significant impact on policy and business practice and where collective action is needed.

Our leadership groups help senior practitioners identify what needs to change within their sector or system, and take practical action to achieve this with their peers. Our collaboratories are time-bound problem-solving groups which focus on particular sustainability challenges. Together we call these our business platforms.

A wide variety of expertise is drawn upon to support the groups, including research from the University of Cambridge.

Climate change is a profoundly important issue for business, with its capacity to shift markets, trigger regulation and generate opportunities and risks. What role should companies take in shaping the solutions?

We bring together business leaders from major UK, EU and international companies who see the need for greater urgency and ambition from policy makers on climate change and the creation of a low carbon economy.

UK Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change (UK CLG) 
EU Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change (EU CLG) 
Corporate Leaders Network for Climate Action (CLN)
Schools: The Atlas Project

In an era of increasing resource scarcity, can companies learn how to enhance rather than erode the natural world?

The Natural Capital Leaders Platform is a major business-led programme focusing on practical action and policy influence. It brings together influential companies with a global reach, working to address the impacts of ecosystems and natural capital loss and degradation on business, customers and wider society.

Natural Capital Leaders Platform 
Natural Capital Leaders Compact
Sustainable Water Stewardship

Many people recognise the banking system does not incentivise long-term thinking. So what should banks be doing to build a system that does?

There is a growing recognition in the finance sector that it has a pivotal role to play in advancing sustainability, and that the risks of not doing so are mounting for both business and reputational reasons.

The Banking Environment Initiative was convened in 2010 to identify new ways in which banks can collectively stimulate the direction of capital towards sustainable, low carbon growth and away from activities that undermine it.

Banking Environment Initiative

Insurance companies are world experts in risk. How can they use their knowledge and influence to drive action on climate change?

ClimateWise is the global insurance industry’s leadership group on climate risk. It leverages the industry’s expertise to better understand, communicate and act on the impacts of climate change. Members commit to action against the ClimateWise Principles and are independently reviewed against these annually.

ClimateWise

Only a small amount of the world’s private capital is currently directed towards the public good. Can this balance be shifted whilst delivering adequate returns to owners?

The investment industry has not progressed as far as some sectors in recognizing and internalizing the global shift to sustainability. Building on our relationships with global insurance funds, investment banks and pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, CPSL is establishing a business platform to change this.

Investment Leaders Group
Clean Energy Finance Solutions – Central and Eastern Europe

Organisations the world over draw on a wide variety of professional services to deliver and improve their businesses. How can the knowledge these firms hold contribute to a resource efficient, low carbon economy?

The Professional Services Sustainability Initiative brings together colleagues from seven professional services firms in the UK who believe there is an urgent need to develop new and longer term policies and approaches for tackling sustainability challenges.

Professional Services Sustainability Initiative (PSSI)