Being part of a tribe provides a safe space for peer to peer learning and working towards a shared goal. Member companies of RE100 discover new avenues of innovation, test new ideas, learn from experiences and adapt accordingly. For instance, there is a mix of virtual and in-person RE100 exchanges facilitated by The Climate Group and CDP. To hear the stories of success or failure directly from those who have learnt from it makes these exchanges far quicker and more effective. As a result, around 40 companies are already sourcing more than 95 per cent of their electricity from renewables today.

In India, the business community can face the climate megatrend head-on, provided they know why and how. For all businesses, sourcing clean electricity and using it effectively are great first steps. However, decarbonisation needs to happen in traditionally heavily emitting sectors such as steel, aluminium and chemicals in order for us to limit global warming to 1.5°C. A few companies from the country are already blazing a trail by setting higher levels of internal and external targets on climate action, but it’s far from being described as a movement yet. It was indeed a proud moment for India when Anand Mahindra represented the voice of global business at the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit.

To make climate leadership the norm, Indian business leaders need nimble and fit-for-purpose communities of practice to facilitate B2B (business to business) as well as B2G (business to government) collaboration. They need coalitions where business leaders make plans to forge ahead on ambitious climate action, and where governments are ready to work with business coalitions to deliver on the Paris Agreement. For instance, Sweden, a national endorser of the Under2 Coalition is partnering with leading companies to commercialise fossil-free steel, while Quebec province in Canada is trying to scale up energy storage and low carbon aluminium. In India, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, transporting three million people daily, has partnered with the state of Madhya Pradesh to power over 90 per cent of its operations using solar power. The power of such collaborations is huge – and spurs growth by catalysing international trade, finance and technology transfer. We just need this to happen with immediate effect, and on a bigger scale than we’ve seen before.

Tackling climate change has never been more urgent – and the clock is ticking. To make ever greater progress, we need even more businesses and governments to join forces and take action across renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy efficiency. If you truly believe in the power of leadership and collaboration, take the plunge and commit your business to a pioneering and powerful network.