Board Leadership for Growth and Resilience 2026
Page 22 of 26 · WEF_Board_Leadership_for_Growth_and_Resilience_2026.pdf
Strengthening trust through clear →
and credible reporting
Boards are accountable for climate- and nature-related
disclosures that are transparent, are credible and reliably
inform investment decisions. This includes overseeing what
is disclosed, how information is prepared and verified, and
whether disclosures are consistent with the organization’s
commitments, strategy and legal obligations.
Clear and consistent reporting builds stakeholder trust and
reinforces organizational integrity by demonstrating that
material risks are being actively managed and that progress
is being tracked against stated goals. Investors continue
to expect material climate- and nature-related risks to be
disclosed as this provides confidence that the organization is
navigating complex, long-term challenges. When disclosures
are accessible and accurate, they enable stakeholders to
assess performance over time and make more informed,
forward-looking decisions.
Building organizational preparedness →
through effective oversight
Disclosures offer boards a strategic lens to assess
organizational preparedness in an increasingly dynamic operating environment and provide reasonable grounds for
forward-looking statements on climate and nature. When
approached with rigour and intent, disclosures may surface
critical gaps in systems or capabilities, while also revealing
emerging risks and opportunities.
Disclosures signal how effectively an organization is navigating
complexity and building resilience. They offer insight into the
alignment between ambition and execution, helping boards
evaluate whether the organization is equipped to deliver
sustained performance in a changing context. By treating
disclosure as a forward-looking discipline, boards can:
–Sharpen oversight
–Strengthen confidence in the organization’s capacity
to adapt and lead
–Evidence competitive advantage through consistent
and comparable reporting
–Improve access to and cost of capital
Beyond compliance, robust reporting creates opportunity.
By focusing attention on what matters most, disclosures can
accelerate transformation, unlock insight and equip leaders
to make smarter decisions that drive long-term resilience
and growth.17
Guiding questions for board reflection
Question 1: How well do we understand our responsibilities, potential liabilities and stakeholder expectations regarding the information
disclosed on climate and nature?
Question 2: How do we gain confidence that our sustainability disclosures are accurate, complete and consistent across all public
communications, including filings, investor briefings, websites and financial statements?
Question 3: How effectively do our disclosure processes reflect the organization’s actual performance, position and progress on climate-
and nature-related topics, including areas where progress is limited?
Question 4: How confident is the board in its ability to explain and stand behind information disclosed on climate and nature to regulators,
investors or other stakeholders?
Question 5: How do we remain aligned with evolving reporting requirements while staying mindful of differing or competing
stakeholder expectations?
Question 6: Who in management is responsible for climate and nature disclosures, and what accountability mechanisms are in place to
ensure compliance with regulatory and stakeholder expectations?
Guiding questions for boards to ask of management
Question 1: What systems and internal controls are in place to verify the quality, consistency and reliability of climate- and nature-related
data used in external disclosures, and how do these differ from our financial controls?
Question 2: How does management determine which climate- and nature-related issues are material to disclose, and how is the board
involved in that process?
Question 3: How are climate- and nature-related disclosures assured or verified, and what information does the board use to be confident
in areas of uncertainty or key management judgements?
Question 4: How is consistency maintained between different forms of communication, including regulatory filings, investor briefings,
annual reports and internal messaging?
Question 5: Who in management is responsible for climate and nature disclosures, and what accountability mechanisms are in place to
ensure compliance with regulatory and stakeholder expectations?
Board Leadership for Growth and Resilience
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