Corporate Governance and Climate Change: towards the Net Zero target

Overview

Corporate board of directors are facing criticism of not having adequate skills or leadership to navigate the business landscapes addressing climate risks and opportunities. Companies can support economies in accelerating the transition to becoming climate neutral and sustainable. Initiatives taken in the boardroom can ensure ambitious response to climate change in line with the goals established by the Paris Agreement. International Finance Corporation have established Climate Governance Progression Matrix tool for assisting the Board of Directors in identifying and overseeing climate related risks and opportunities. If corporate governance effectively deploys its efforts in accelerating the transition to net zero and build climate resilience, it will provide confidence to stakeholders on taking valuable steps to address climate change.

Good corporate governance will thus be associated with environmental concerns, set meaningful internal emissions targets for the firm, and ensure that environmental regulations are not breached. Investors with a preference to make investments in firms focusing on climate initiatives are more likely to drive the behaviour of the board of directors. Thus, environmental credentials need to be strengthened for the corporations.

The aims of this project are as follows:

1. To examine the bidirectional relationship between corporate governance (CG) and climate change, that includes i) how climate change (i.e., climate policy uncertainty) influences CG structures and operations, enabling boards and businesses to address climate-related challenge; ii) how modifications in CG practices, particularly climate-focused governance, might affect an organisation's exposure to climate change factors, such as climate risks, carbon emissions, and net-zero targets.
2. To investigate how the relationship between corporate governance and commitment to climate change impacts the firm using metrics related to performance, investment efficiency, capital structure and others.

Nottingham Business School is triple crown accredited with EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA – the highest international benchmarks for business education. It has also been ranked by the Financial Times for its Executive Education programmes in 2023 and 2024. NBS is one of only 47 global business schools recognised as a PRME Champion, and held up as an exemplar by the United Nations of Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).  

Its purpose is to provide research and education that combines academic excellence with positive impact on people, business and society. As a world leader in experiential learning and personalisation, joining NBS as a researcher is an opportunity to achieve your potential.

Application deadlines

• Applications for the October 2025 intake close on 1st July 2025
• Applications for the January 2026 intake close on 1st October 2025.