Offsetting and corporate claims to be carbon neutral have been a distraction. The genuine leadership of companies as a force for good will entail working towards decarbonising business models and the framing of objectives in terms of zero carbon and carbon positive.

The eyes of the world will be on Copenhagen this December. What kind of climate deal will be reached - sustainable blueprint for a green economy, limited agreement or ineffective fudge?  

Our two main recommendations are to reword and extend the Combined Code so that it truly encompasses the responsibilities of investors alongside those of boards and better reflects cultures, values and behaviours in the assessment of risk and allocation of rewards 

Signs of a new era in economics emerge, bringing hope for real and systemic change. 

In this article, Matt Gitsham, Chris Gribben and Patricia Hind of Ashridge Business School argue that to successfully embed corporate responsibility and sustainability within organisations, there needs to be a focus on developing the mindset and skills of individual managers, rather than simply introducing new policies and procedures.