The climate solutions advantage
A practical guide developed by the Centre for Policy Development and The Action Exchange to help large organisations and industry associations champion climate action. Focused on Australia’s mid-tier business sector, the project translated complex economic research into a toolkit for communicating the commercial benefits of the energy transition.
Learn how we work with philanthropy and business clients:
→ Business
Explore the services featured in this project:
→ Stakeholder engagement and coalition building
→ Business intelligence
→ Strategic communications and messaging
→ Roundtables and events
Objective
The project sought to equip economic leaders with the evidence and messaging needed to amplify the benefits of the energy transition. By providing a clear, evidence-based case for climate solutions, focused on operational resilience, risk mitigation, and access to capital, the initiative aimed to give governments and businesses the confidence to deliver high-impact policies and projects.
Approach
The Action Exchange delivered an integrated programme of business engagement, conducting in-depth interviews with sustainability experts to identify why mid-tier firms were being left behind. We developed a strategic messaging framework and the final Climate Solutions Advantage Playbook, supported by stakeholder engagement and coalition building to convene cross-sectoral leaders. This work was activated through targeted roundtables and events designed to mobilise knowledge and help leaders engage their supply chains and member networks.
Outcome
The playbook provides a credible bridge between deep economic research and practical business application, enabling leaders to move beyond generic summaries to define the next phase of the energy transition. By framing climate action as a driver of competitive advantage rather than a regulatory burden, the project has equipped influential voices to lead intellectually serious conversations that build trust and drive ground-level change across the economy.
The Action Exchange developed a strategic communications and messaging strategy for the playbook and delivered a series of roundtables and events to support its launch.
This video explains how the playbook was developed and what its key lessons and tips are for business leaders.
The economic benefits of climate solutions:
Reduced operational costs
Climate solutions can cut expenses and boost profits. Businesses that optimise energy use or electrify operations can improve their margins by up to 60%.
Mitigate business risk
From supply chains to insurance premiums, climate risks are rising. Climate solutions help businesses stay ahead of regulatory, financial, and reputational threats.
Protect market access
With mandatory reporting and global climate rules tightening, companies must reduce emissions to protect their access to domestic and export markets.
Better access to capital
Investors and banks are increasingly taking climate solutions into account in their lending criteria. Realistic, measurable transition plans open doors to more funding opportunities and more investment.
Stronger competitive advantage
Climate solutions provide companies with advantages over their competitors, from increasing shareholder returns and greater investor confidence, to reputational improvements and better market performance.
Greater resilience
Sustainable businesses are more adaptable, agile, and future-ready. Two-thirds of Australian companies already see the link between sustainability and long-term profitability.
Why is the playbook important?
Reaching net zero isn’t just about government policy or big business—it requires action across the whole economy. That includes the small and mid-sized businesses that power Australia’s supply chains, regions, and communities.
While large-scale systems change is critical, so too is change at the ground level. When mid-tier businesses cut emissions, they don’t just accelerate the energy transition—they reduce costs, attract customers, and future-proof their operations.
This is a moment of opportunity. Business leaders and industry associations have a powerful role to play in shifting the dial. By using this Playbook to clearly and confidently communicate the economic case for climate action, we can bring about real change. Because this isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s smart business.
Communicating climate solutions
We encourage large business leaders and industry associations to harness the playbook messages and strategies to engage, connect, advocate and communicate with mid-tier business leaders and stakeholders.
Engage: develop stakeholder engagement programs that aim to meaningfully engage business leaders
Connect: connect companies with outside experts and advisors that can help them understand how to actively adapt
Advocate: speak at conferences and in the media
Communicate: embed the key messages in regular communications and content.
Next steps:
Download and share the playbook.
Get in touch to request a briefing on the playbook’s recommendations or find out more.
