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Case Study

Leading for systems change: Peter Bakker and the WBCSD

By Amanda Williams, Knut Bjarne Haanaes and David Bach

20 pages

December 2023

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Reference: IMD-7-2433

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a network of 250 multinational companies collaborating to achieve Vision2050 ¬– a plan for a world where nine billion people can live well within the limits of the planet. WBCSD sets an ambitious agenda along three imperatives – climate, equity and nature action. The CEO of WBCSD, Peter Bakker, is known for his ambition to drive action at a fast rate. However, moving the agenda too fast risks losing some companies. This case evaluates how Bakker can drive change at the rate needed and his strategy to do so.

Learning Objective

Understand the evolution of the WBCSD and its current platform for action, Vision2050
Analyze a leadership dilemma for sustainable systems change

Keywords

Sustainability, Strategy, Leadership, Change, Climate, Environment, Reduced Inequalities, Climate Action, Life on Land

Settings

Europe, Switzerland
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Philanthropy, Non-profit Organizations Management
1990-2022

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note, Video

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