Peter Bakker

"It's no longer good enough for companies to just make commitments and set targets" 

Peter Bakker, CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), emphasises the unprecedented collaboration between business, philanthropy, and policymakers. This forum marks a critical shift from merely setting targets to ensuring corporate accountability and performance transparency. 

Bakker highlights the urgency of transitioning to sustainable business practices through robust accountability systems, as evidenced by the launch of the CEO Guide for Corporate Performance and Accountability. He underscores the need for comparable, real data to drive genuine climate action, steering clear of greenwashing. 

The forum also focused on reskilling for a rapidly evolving economy, emphasising education's pivotal role in preparing for future job markets. Bakker stresses the importance of cross-sector collaboration, asserting that no single entity can tackle climate change alone. He envisions philanthropy as a catalyst for systemic solutions, supporting the development of new technologies and accountability frameworks. 

Looking to the future, Bakker champions policy reforms, such as mandatory climate accounting rules and a global carbon pricing strategy, to accelerate innovation. As exponential growth in renewable technologies offers a glimmer of hope, the call is clear: it's time for tangible action and global cooperation to achieve climate goals.