As the world settles uncomfortably into year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic, environmental, and social volatility of this era are coming into clearer focus.

Stock market tickers have been flailing wildly. The lists of extinct creatures and endangered ecosystems have reached dispiriting new lengths. The climate crisis was amplified on the world stage during COP26, and yet with all the convening and clashing among the leaders of nations, businesses and activist groups, the results from Glasgow were mixed. Meanwhile, authoritarianism is on the rise in many places, imperiling the mechanisms that empower people to vote according to their values.

That leaves large businesses — those with some foresight and risk aversion, at least — to pick up serious slack in terms of speeding up efforts to draw down carbon, restore natural systems and empower communities.

This year, we’ve selected 12 business executives who stand out in 12 areas that are key to accelerating action on climate and delivering positive social benefits. These dozen leaders seek to steer their companies to help build a better world as good business practice, whether it’s through decarbonizing the literal bricks and mortar of infrastructure, detoxifying supply chains, electrifying transportation, regenerating soil, advocating for sound government policy — or financing any of the above solutions and more. They hail from three continents and five nations: the United States; Denmark; India; Switzerland; and Mexico.

Several of these individuals are turning around former fossil-fuel-powered giants, such as Ford, DSM, and Ørsted. Two on this list are the first women in their seats of corporate power. We’ve also selected a couple of executives outside the Fortune 500 and for the first time, someone with the chief sustainability officer title. Read on to meet them. And take some time to get reacquainted with our cohorts for 2020 and 2021, some of whom hold entirely new positions.

Read the full article about leaders in sustainability and climate by Elsa Wenzel at GreenBiz.