Net Zero and Governance: Why Now Is Not the Time to Step Back
A recent insight article from the Good Governance Institute explores the pressing question: should public-purpose organisations pause or accelerate their net-zero ambitions in today’s complex climate?
At a GGI-hosted webinar in July 2025, a panel of governance experts—including Aidan Rave, Virginia Isaac, and Andrew Corbett-Nolan—examined the operational, political, and moral challenges of meeting net-zero goals in the current climate.
Key Themes from the Discussion
- Governance as Responsibility: Andrew Corbett-Nolan emphasised that achieving net zero is a modern governance imperative. Sustainability should be embedded within the very fabric of an organisation’s accountability and risk structures—not viewed as a secondary concern.
- Public Engagement and Trust: With 80% of the UK public supporting climate action, Virginia Isaac warned that net-zero strategies must be made real and tangible. Leadership must translate net-zero targets into cultural and ethical commitments that resonate with staff, stakeholders, and communities.
- Sustainability as Strategic Investment: Isaac also highlighted that net zero isn’t simply a regulatory burden. It’s an opportunity to boost innovation, strengthen reputation, and futureproof organisations. She pointed to the One Planet Standard as a robust and independently assessed framework to help guide organisations on this path.
Why This Matters
This article is especially relevant for leaders in public-sector organisations—such as local authorities, NHS trusts, and nonprofits—grappling with budget constraints while navigating increasing demands for climate leadership. The message is clear: good governance means staying the course on net zero and viewing sustainability as central to organisational purpose.
“Should our net-zero ambitions pause in the face of external pressures—or double down? Governance leaders at GGI argue for steadfast commitment: treating sustainability not as a cost centre but as a moral and strategic imperative—underpinned by frameworks like the One Planet Standard.”
👉 Read the full article on the Good Governance Institute website.
