Join Alexandra Bolton and Matthew Moss in a thought-provoking conversation with Brazilian board director Cristiana Pipponzi. Cristiana is a board member of the family-owned business  RD – Gente, Saúde e Bem-estar (People, Health and Well-Being), a leading company in the Brazilian pharmacy market, with over 2,500 stores in all Brazilian states. She also sits on the board of diverse organisations: a world-leading bank, three NGOs and a start-up.  

This episode delves into the indispensable qualities required for effective climate leadership and the challenges of embedding sustainability in the boardroom. Cristiana also shares insights on climate governance across different types of organisations, highlighting contrasting approaches and priorities. 

Key messages

• Climate leadership requires strategic thinking, communication skills and the ability to foster collaboration and alignment among stakeholders. Serving on NGO boards can benefit corporate board directors, as they gain those diverse skills and perspectives needed for climate leadership.  
• Three challenges in the boardroom that hinder climate action include: 
  1. The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the business implications of climate change
  2. Achieving alignment among board members and executives with diverse perspectives and priorities
  3. Balancing short-term financial pressures with long-term sustainability goals.  
• Strategies to ensure the long-term commitment of the organisation to sustainability include developing a Sustainability Committee and integrating sustainability indicators into compensation models. 

Directors’ Dialogues is hosted by the Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Engagement as its content partner. Each episode takes a deep dive into the stewardship journey of board directors and climate experts. Whether you are new to the climate governance space or an accomplished steward, this podcast will bring you closer to true voices sharing their experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating climate action and integrating it into the boardroom conversation.