Involving Diverse Stakeholders for a Net Zero Future - Business in the Community

Involving Diverse Stakeholders for a Net Zero Future

Many companies now recognise the importance of climate action. To maintain a license to operate, attract talent and access new business opportunities, every UK company must work towards a net zero future and climate resilience. They must rethink business models, reassess what they reward and redefine value.

This transition also has huge potential to reduce inequalities across employment, race, gender, age, health, and wellbeing. In addition, tackling inequality gives us the best chance of creating lasting solutions to the climate crisis.

Business in the Community (BITC) encourages all companies to set a commitment and create a climate action plan. It is up to individual companies to decide when and how they involve stakeholders. Stakeholder involvement is essential to ensure that plans are designed and delivered in ways that create benefits for people and nature.

This factsheet outlines why businesses must design a fair and inclusive future with diverse stakeholders to achieve these benefits and a net zero future. It also explains how to identify and prioritise diverse stakeholders and how to ensure that you are involving them in your plans.

Business in the Community’s work on climate action

By 2030 the UK needs to have delivered on its commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This is something many consider only possible by achieving a net zero carbon economy.
Business in the Community (BITC) is helping organisations address climate change. This is part of future-proofing businesses, so they prosper in this changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Business in the Community believes engaging in nature stewardship and adopting a circular economy approach are critical elements of a fair and inclusive transition.

You can download BITC’s report, “The Right Climate For Business: Leading a Just Transition,” to gain insights and recommendations on how to build a sustainable and resilient future that benefits both people and nature. The report focuses on achieving net-zero emissions.

The manifesto sets out our vision for 2030 – a key milestone for a just transition. Targeting businesses and policymakers, it identifies priority actions for businesses across our Seven Steps for Climate Action and five key areas where policy support is critical.

Find out more and download the Manifesto – Our Route to a Net Zero Climate Resilient Future

A Joint Statement of Demand (JSD) approach recognises that collective purchasing power can drive innovation and investment, accelerating a shift to a sustainable future—a future that BITC sees as a net zero, nature-positive economy where people and nature thrive.

Business in the Community (BITC) is leading an exciting initiative as part of the Interreg North Sea Region ProCirc Project, creating Joint Statements of Demand (JSDs) for office furniture, electric vehicle chargers (ESVs) and professional clothing. A JSD is a shared set of asks that procurers commit to include in future tenders.

Learn more about the JSDs BITC is co-ordinating, Circular Professional Clothing, Electric Vehicle Chargers and Office Furniture.

In a circular economy, products, services, and infrastructure are designed to maximise value and minimise waste. This reduces demand for precious primary resources, lowers carbon emissions, and regenerates our natural environment. There are direct business benefits too. These include better supply chain management, reducing business risk relating to environmental damage and, finding new commercial opportunities.