It is clear that that industry is really starting to get its arms around the business realities of climate change and related policies.  The number of companies responding to the Carbon Disclosure Project survey each year is increasing ... more companies are launching efforts, hiring personnel, developing strategies and assessing their risks and opportunities.

However, one of the great challenges that we continue to see is the lack of consistency (even within any particular industry sector) on how companies are structuring and staffing in response to climate-related challenges and opportunities.

Consider these numbers:

• 80% of the Global 500 companies responding to the CDP (which comes out to nearly 270 of the Global 500) indicated that they'd tasked a board-level or executive-level person with addressing climate change.  However, reading through numerous disclosures, it is rare to find two companies who are developing similar organizational structures.
• Over 600 public and private colleges and universities have become signatories to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
• 935 cities are participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
• More than half of American states are involved in regional climate pacts (24 states as members, 10 states formally observing) — 3 regional initiatives/pacts, 1 state cap-and-trade program, and existing/impending legislation in numerous states

So I ask this question (recognizing that this serves ACCO's purpose conveniently) ...

How can any industry, company or organization possibly hope to be successful in responding to today's greatest challenges and opportunities if it doesn't have the right people ... with the right skills and knowledge ... in the right place ... and empowered to accomplish their goals?

ACCO is working diligently to bring thought leaders together from across the broadest range of sectors possible to develop best practices, standards and guidelines for recommended organizational structures, certifying professionals and beyond.  For more information, please contact Daniel Kreeger at 202-496-7390.