Rachna Sharma operates in a region where more than 80% of power production comes from fossil fuels, and it’s her job to educate decision-makers on the importance of addressing climate change. In this episode, Rachna talks about how board members, the c-suite and leaders can get to grips with their climate risk, drive change, and address stakeholder concerns. We also discuss how companies can build their social license in markets where customers are expecting more, and shareholders are willing to rebel if they aren’t seeing enough done. Likening the current stage of the climate crisis to the early days of the internet, Rachna Sharma, CEO of Climate Ready Leaders, says the climate crisis is really a communications crisis, as decision makers often lack the understanding necessary to make climate data clear and actionable.

A communicator with over 25 years of experience in India and internationally, Rachna Sharma’s expertise spans communications for development, corporate sustainability, social purpose and impact. She has worked with clients at the most senior levels across the Asia Pacific, where she has led highly impactful, globally acclaimed work.

(0:00) Begin 

(1:10) Rachna introduction and creating climate ready leaders 

(5:48) How do you talk to those who are skeptical about how businesses need to approach climate change? 

(8:25) Have you come across anyone you couldn’t convince that climate change is an important barrier to business? 

(9:59) Do you have any guidelines or tips that will help prevent companies from veering into greenwashing? 

(13:34) Is it helpful for companies to be transparent about both their successes and failures when it comes to climate goals? 

(15:15) Who do you hold up as examples of a company doing a really good job communicating their climate change position? 

(18:18) There is lively debate around whether it’s permissible for a communications agency to work with someone from the fossil fuel sector. What do you think? 

(22:40) What are your thoughts on big climate seminars like COP28 and others like it? 

(24:37) You’ve called the climate crisis one of the biggest opportunities of all time for communicators. Why is that?  

(28:59) The Takeaway – What advice would you like to give to people trying to get a good understanding of how the climate crisis affects business? 

(31:12) Host wrap-up