Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders

A CEO-led community committed to raising bold climate ambition and accelerating the net zero transition by setting science-based targets, disclosing emissions, and catalyzing decarbonization and partnerships across global value chains. The Alliance has launched a voluntary Scope 3 Upstream Action Plan to guide its members in achieving Scope 3 upstream targets, along with the Net Zero Value Chain Support Hub to assist procurement teams and suppliers in supply chain decarbonization.

CDP

CDP’s new SME questionnaire serves as a unique data source driving effective financing decisions, identifying challenges and gaps, and harmonizing expectations and best practices via standardized reporting and scoring. CDP will work closely with SME stakeholders across regions and launch materials based on needs in 2025. The questionnaire is underpinned by key programmes such as CDP’s Supply Chain & Banks programmes, driving SME engagement. Post-2024 disclosure cycle, CDP will establish the first-of-its-kind SME Dataset, providing new insights into SME sustainability action, and will launch the SME A-List in 2025.

“We cannot build a healthy planet without healthy SMEs, the backbone of our global economy. CDP is proud to be a partner in this important campaign and to be stepping up our own efforts to better support and empower SMEs across major and emerging markets. Our new dedicated SME disclosure questionnaire is making it easier for small businesses to understand where to focus their attention, build capacity and act. More and better data on SMEs means more informed decision-making, financing and action in support of a successful transition.”
— Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP

Climate Ventures

Climate Ventures drives Brazil’s climate innovation ecosystem, expanding market insights and uniting key stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy. Through the Green Wave Platform, they connect over 1,000 organizations advancing Latin America’s green economy, recognized as the official decarbonization database by the UN Global Compact Brazil. Their flagship ClimAction conference engages the private sector in climate action, while innovation labs like the Nature Investment Lab and Amazon Forest Bioeconomy Lab focus on capital flow and solution development. The Brazilian Climatech Forum fosters a favorable environment for sector growth.

“The Climate Proofing SMEs campaign represents a crucial milestone in strengthening private sector engagement with the climate agenda. We recognize that for small and medium-sized businesses, committing to and achieving ambitious climate goals can be challenging. We are proud to be part of this impactful collective effort, helping to facilitate this process on a global scale.”
— Ude Lottfi, COO of Climate Ventures

Exponential Roadmap Initiative

The Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) unites innovators and disruptors to accelerate climate action aligned with the 1.5°C target, aiming to cut emissions in half by 2030. ERI works with SMEs through the SME Climate Hub, which it co-founded to equip SMEs with tools to commit to science-based climate targets, track emissions, take action, and report progress. The 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders, also co-founded by ERI, enhances these efforts by promoting climate action across global supply chains, helping suppliers and SMEs lower emissions and work toward net zero by 2050.

International Chamber of Commerce

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the institutional representative of 45 million companies in more than 170 countries, making it easier for businesses to trade internationally. They believe in the power of the private sector to change the world for the better and are uniquely positioned to ensure the voice of businesses, large and small, is heard where it matters most.

International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre (ITC) connects micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to value chains and helps them succeed. Environmental sustainability and climate resilience are key determinants of enterprise competitiveness. ITC supports ecopreneurs and MSMEs to build and scale their green innovations and products while promoting alignment between trade- and environment-related policies.

SME Climate Hub

The SME Climate Hub is an initiative of the We Mean Business Coalition, a global nonprofit catalyzing business and policy action to halve global emissions by 2030. The initiative was co-founded and is operated in partnership with the Exponential Roadmap Initiative and the UN Climate Change High Level Champion’s Race to Zero campaign. Through its free tools and resources, the SME Climate Hub enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to make a climate commitment, take action, and measure their progress toward emissions reductions. The SME Climate Commitment is the official pathway for SMEs to join the Race to Zero campaign.

“As we approach COP29, it’s imperative that leading small and medium-sized businesses globally take responsibility and make the SME Climate Commitment. However, their effort will not be successful without the active support of national governments, organizations, and corporations. They must take bold steps to incentivize and reward responsible SMEs within their value chains and networks. Only through this collective effort can we mobilize SMEs at a scale that can have impact in the net zero future.”
— María Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition, host organization of the SME Climate Hub

The Centre for Climate Engagement, Hughes Hall

The Centre for Climate Engagement at Hughes Hall plays a unique role in bringing leading academic research to chairs and non-executive directors of SMEs and businesses of all sizes to accelerate climate leadership. The Centre develops insights based on academic expertise from across the University of Cambridge and the wider research community, together with independent expertise from the business sector. It supports new areas of research particularly relevant for board members, with a focus on climate law, governance, and organizational change.

“Board-level understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with climate change is pivotal to addressing the challenge in a timely manner and requires every available tool at our disposal across every business in the economy. That’s why CCE supports the COP29 HLC Climate-Proofing SME campaign, and urges academics working in areas related to climate change to get involved and share their research.”
— Emily Farnworth, Director of the Centre for Climate Engagement, Hughes Hall

The Employee Race to Zero (Giki)

Giki is an evidence-led B Corp and social enterprise focused on helping people take more climate action. To achieve this, they work with companies to engage employees on sustainability. Giki runs the Employee Race to Zero, a 2-week sustainability campaign for employees designed specifically for SMEs, to build knowledge and engage everyone behind the company’s net zero commitments.

“Employees are the fundamental change agents to get to net zero. The SME Employee Race to Zero is designed to activate employees behind Race to Zero commitments, to deepen knowledge and understanding of decarbonization in the workplace, and to inspire and motivate teams to take positive climate action together. And it is designed to be fun, accessible and is free to all Race to Zero members.”
— Jo Hand, Co-founder of Giki

WBCSD The Climate Drive

The Climate Drive, powered by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), provides a first stop for SMEs to find free, trusted, actionable, and localized resources to support their decarbonization journey. The Action Library offers quick wins, business impact details, and implementation guidelines. The Net Zero Guidebook, translated into various languages, enhances accessibility to best practices for decarbonization for businesses worldwide.

“We have moved beyond the discussions of why we need to act. It is now about implementing the transformations needed at speed and scale. All businesses, including SMEs, have a critical role to play. This is why WBCSD is proud to support this campaign, together with its members, to equip SMEs, with open initiatives such as The Climate Drive.”
— Peter Bakker, President of WBCSD

Comunidad #PorElClima

Comunidad #PorElClima is a Spanish multi-stakeholder alliance and an Accelerator for Race to Zero, working on the ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement. They mobilize and support impact-makers on their journey towards decarbonization. Since 2015, they have worked with SMEs, especially in engaging the value chain of large companies, including over 12,000 bars and restaurants in Spain, as hospitality represents 6% of Spain’s GDP.

“SMEs, with their diversity and proximity to communities, are the engine of our economies and key players in the transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy. They face unique challenges, but also propose innovative solutions adapted to local realities. In the lead-up to COP29 in Baku, it is essential that SMEs are at the heart of the discussion and solutions, ensuring that campaigns and strategies are accessible and inclusive for all. Comunidad #PorElClima salutes the leadership of COP29 Champion, Nigar Arparadai, for her commitment to empowering these businesses, recognizing that their success is essential for sustainable and equitable global change.”
— Víctor Viñuales, Representant of Comunidad #PorElClima and Executive Director of ECODES

KADIN Net Zero Hub

KADIN Indonesia, through its Net Zero Hub (NZH), drives climate action by supporting businesses, including SMEs, in decarbonizing their operations. Its Corporate Assistance Programme (CAP) equips companies with training and tools to reduce emissions. CAP partners include 20 companies from Adidas’ supply chain, projected to reduce 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035. KADIN collaborates with the government to incentivize SMEs with grants and tax reductions, helping drive Indonesia’s transition toward sustainability.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises in Indonesia, which contribute to over 60% of the country’s GDP and absorb more than 97% of the national workforce, play a crucial role in the global race to achieve net zero targets. With SMEs accounting for nearly 50% of industrial energy use, their transition to sustainability is essential. By receiving the right support, including training and access to clean energy, SMEs can enhance the competitiveness of their products in international markets while making a tangible contribution to emissions reduction. KADIN Net Zero Hub is committed to helping SMEs take strategic steps toward sustainability, and this collaboration will create positive impacts not only for the environment but also for the broader well-being of society.”
— Dharsono Hartono, Chair of KADIN Net Zero Hub

National Business Initiative (NBI)

The National Business Initiative (NBI) is a coalition of South African and multinational companies, working for nearly three decades toward a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy. NBI is a local delivery partner for the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) in South Africa, a global technical assistance program that supports bankable, climate-resilient SMEs. These SMEs receive capacity building, webinars, and facilitated access to financiers.

“SMEs play an integral role in supporting the Just Transition to a climate resilient economy and society by driving innovation, creating employment and contributing to sustainable economic growth. One of the key elements in the Just Transition is distributive justice, which means economic inclusion and enabling people to access and benefit from the transition. SMEs can ensure more equitable distribution of resources and benefits, hence climate proofing SMEs is critical. Our SMEs, just like our populations, are quite vulnerable to the physical and transition risks of climate change. If we want to convert some of these risks into opportunities, the support we provide now is an investment in the future.”
— Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of National Business Initiative (NBI)

Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI)

The Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) represents over 50 national chambers of commerce across Africa. PACCI promotes trade, fosters economic integration, and advocates for a business-friendly regulatory environment. Through capacity-building initiatives, public-private dialogues, and digital tools, PACCI empowers SMEs on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and supports their transition to sustainable, climate-resilient practices.

“The Climate Proofing SME campaign puts small and medium enterprises in the driver’s seat of sustainability. We’re here to boost awareness, spotlight climate champions, and team up with big players to turn green goals into reality—because a resilient future starts small but thinks big!”
— Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI)

Union des chambres de commerce et d’industrie de l’océan Indien (Cap Business Océan Indien)

Founded in 2005, Cap Business Océan Indien unites the private sectors of six islands in the Indian Ocean region. The association fosters regional economic cooperation and supports a fair, sustainable, and resilient transition. Through co-financing and private sector engagement, Cap Business helps SMEs assess their carbon footprints, develop mitigation plans, and accelerate progress toward net zero emissions.

“Private organizations in the SIDS of the Indian Ocean region are primarily identified as SMEs that are integral parts of the value chains of major global companies. By supporting them in assessing their carbon footprint and developing mitigation plans, we ensure that these value chains significantly accelerate progress towards net zero emissions, driving innovation and fostering a resilient, low-carbon economy that benefits both the environment and society as a whole.”
— Virginie Lauret, Executive Director of Cap Business Ocean Indien