Board Leadership for Growth and Resilience 2026

Boardrooms today face a landscape where complex risks and emerging opportunities are accelerating at pace. Board discussions now routinely cover issues that were rarely on the agenda a decade ago, from geoeconomics and artificial intelligence to cyber threats. Forces such as climate change and natural resource allocation will continue to shape competitiveness, resilience and advantage in the years ahead. In this environment, board members are expected to look further ahead through scenario analysis and to engage more deeply with a broader range of stakeholders. While short-term disruptions can distract boards from long-term objectives, board members are uniquely positioned to challenge whether decisions align with a clear vision for the future and will deliver sustained value for organizations and society. Good governance which drives organizational resilience can be measured in the ability to look beyond immediate pressures, anticipate change and guide organizations toward lasting outcomes. In this context, we encourage board members to consider climate and nature impacts as integral to their resilience building agendas and to view them as part of a wider set of interconnected challenges where the future will not resemble the past. Responding requires foresight, courage and a balanced view of risks and opportunities. Transitioning business models to meet climate and nature goals can drive innovation, attract investment and talent, and unlock new markets.These principles are intended as a tool to support boards in fulfilling that responsibility and in governing with the future in mind. They highlight how directors can: –Set strategic direction amid uncertainty –Anchor ambition in purpose and values –Hold management accountable for actions that build resilience and create enduring value, including embedding climate and nature into strategy and decisions The framework is simple: four principles of board leadership supported by three foundations that strengthen effective governance. Together they are intended to provide a clear view of the fundamentals needed to create adaptable, innovative businesses with sustainable advantages. We recognize that boards are navigating immediate pressures while also needing to keep sight of the longer term. Yet the issues of climate and nature are shaping the future in ways that cannot be ignored. Responding to them is part of boards’ supervisory and stewardship role and is essential to sustaining lasting value. We hope these principles support you as board members in translating disruption into opportunities that drive innovation, build resilience and deliver enduring growth. Board Leadership for Growth and Resilience Guiding principles for climate and nature governanceJanuary 2026 Andre Hoffman Interim Co-Chair, World Economic Forum Anna Marks Global Board Chair, Deloitte Julie Baddeley Chair, Chapter Zero Alliance Foreword Board Leadership for Growth and Resilience 3