Overcoming five key challenges for a winning climate-transition strategy

Sustainability hero
  • February 03, 2025
Moving towards a low-carbon economy is both necessary and urgent as the impacts of climate change begin to be felt. Governments and businesses are under increasing pressure to act, and companies need clear strategies to show how they are addressing these challenges while staying competitive in evolving markets.

What is a climate-transition strategy?

A climate-transition strategy is a structured plan that outlines how an organisation aligns its activities with the goals of a net-zero economy, based on the latest climate science. It covers key areas such as governance, targets, actions and resources required to achieve the transition.

The strategy involves assessing the organisation’s carbon footprint, setting emissions reduction targets, and defining practical actions of how these goals can be achieved. This would include engaging with key stakeholders, adjusting governance structures, and assessing funding options to support necessary investments.

The aim is to integrate sustainability into the core business model, reduce risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and position the company to thrive in a low-carbon economy.

Revenue growth, cost savings

What are climate solutions?

Climate solutions are innovations and practices that support the transition to a low-carbon economy. These typically include transitioning to renewable energy sources,  investment in innovation and technology, switching to more energy-efficient solutions and partnering with other players along the value chain with the aim to reduce emissions and address climate challenges.

Effective solutions are those that are scalable, financially viable, and impactful, addressing both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (helping societies cope with climate impacts).

Team discussing reports

Why develop a climate-transition strategy?

Developing a climate-transition strategy is both a responsible decision and a growing strategic necessity in today’s business environment. As organisations improve their response to sustainability pressures, there are various reasons why they should begin to prioritise this:

Securing access to finance

Investors and banks increasingly consider environmental commitments, risks and performance when allocating capital. A clear climate-transition strategy demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing climate challenges, ensuring financial viability and attracting investment.

Overcoming challenges in climate-transition strategy

For leaders developing a climate-transition strategy, understanding the main possible challenges is essential. Broadly, these include behaviours, time, emotions, interdependencies, and focus, which affect both the demand for and the supply of climate solutions. Learning from the experiences of others can help navigate these obstacles effectively.

 

Implementing CSRD
Behaviors a

Behaviours

Business leaders often assume that offering climate solutions at competitive prices will naturally attract customers. In reality, customer adoption depends on how well solutions align with their preferences and habits.

Key questions to ask:
  • What customer behaviours and needs must we address?

  • Do our climate solutions meet customer expectations for affordability and convenience?

How can we help?

Beyond supporting your existing or planned sustainability initiatives, our teams can assist your organisation in meeting CSRD reporting and its strategic requirements. We can help ensure compliance while making certain that your reported data and KPIs are accurate, balanced, and aligned with your overall business objectives. Additionally, we can support you with defining  your sustainability goals and integrating these into your strategic decision-making process, leveraging data systems to monitor and optimise performance. Should you wish to explore these opportunities and develop a comprehensive approach to CSRD, please reach out to our dedicated teams.

Contact us

Norbert Paul Vella

Norbert Paul Vella

Assurance Partner, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 9945 3843

Claudine Attard

Claudine Attard

Director, Advisory, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 9947 6321

Carl  Zammit la Rosa

Carl Zammit la Rosa

Manager, Advisory, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 7973 8459

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