URB-D.06.B - Climate Adaptation Business Strategy Integration
Does the company integrate climate adaptation into its business strategy?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme
weather events, rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns (IPCC, 2022). Climate
adaptation is crucial to reduce vulnerabilities, protect assets and enhance resilience against these
risks. Companies can strengthen their focus on proactive adaptation by aligning their efforts with
frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Business
Leaders Guide to Climate Adaptation & Resilience (WBCSD), ISO 14090:2019 (Adaptation to Climate
Change) and the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. These guidelines can help companies
systematically assess climate-related risks, integrate adaptation plans into strategies and implement
solutions, such as resilient infrastructure and operational changes (UNDRR, 2015). Strategic
investments in adaptation not only ensure long-term sustainability of urban environments and
inhabitants but also safeguard business operations. Moreover, collaboration with stakeholders and
ongoing innovation are essential for addressing these challenges and ensuring urban resilience.
Research Guidance
The company must disclose the following information related to climate adaptation in business strategy.
1\. A documented climate adaptation plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term time horizons based on operational or planning factors.
2\. Alignment with business strategy, including key actions, resources, and examples of changes in products, services, operations, supply chains, or investments due to climate adaptation.
3\. Integration into financial planning, covering capital and operating expenditures, acquisitions or divestments, access to capital, and revenue projections.
weather events, rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns (IPCC, 2022). Climate
adaptation is crucial to reduce vulnerabilities, protect assets and enhance resilience against these
risks. Companies can strengthen their focus on proactive adaptation by aligning their efforts with
frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Business
Leaders Guide to Climate Adaptation & Resilience (WBCSD), ISO 14090:2019 (Adaptation to Climate
Change) and the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. These guidelines can help companies
systematically assess climate-related risks, integrate adaptation plans into strategies and implement
solutions, such as resilient infrastructure and operational changes (UNDRR, 2015). Strategic
investments in adaptation not only ensure long-term sustainability of urban environments and
inhabitants but also safeguard business operations. Moreover, collaboration with stakeholders and
ongoing innovation are essential for addressing these challenges and ensuring urban resilience.
Research Guidance
The company must disclose the following information related to climate adaptation in business strategy.
1\. A documented climate adaptation plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term time horizons based on operational or planning factors.
2\. Alignment with business strategy, including key actions, resources, and examples of changes in products, services, operations, supply chains, or investments due to climate adaptation.
3\. Integration into financial planning, covering capital and operating expenditures, acquisitions or divestments, access to capital, and revenue projections.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report