What Climate Leadership Coalition does

Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC) is a Finnish non-profit climate business network founded in 2014 by Fortum, KONE, Neste, St1, Outotec, Caverion and Sitra, headquartered at Hämeentie 31, Helsinki. It convenes approximately 96 organizational members and 67 personal members across Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands, spanning large corporates (e.g., Nokia, Outokumpu, Fortum, KONE, Neste, Boliden, Marimekko, PwC, Capgemini, ING Bank, Atria), universities and research institutions (LUT University, VTT, Aalto, University of Helsinki), and forerunner Nordic cities (Espoo, Tampere, Helsinki). Its stated purpose is to develop business-driven solutions to climate change and to make the sustainability transition economically and financially viable.

CLC's core technology asset is the Carbon Handprint methodology, co-developed with LUT University and VTT between 2016 and 2018, which quantifies the positive climate impact of a product, service or solution by comparing the baseline carbon footprint against the handprint solution's footprint under ISO 14040/14044 and ISO 14067 LCA standards. CLC packages this and other policy work into seven strategic initiatives — Near-Zero Emissions Steel, Cornerstones of the Energy Future, Circular Economy, Climate Investments in Cities (the COMET/Espoo project), Carbon Removals, Call on Carbon, and Carbon Handprint — and operates as an UNFCCC observer organization and EU Climate Pact partner, giving it formal standing in international climate negotiations including the COP conferences.

The business model is membership-fee driven: large organizations (net sales ≥ EUR 50M) pay EUR 11,000/year, small organizations and small associations pay EUR 5,500/year, foundations and start-ups pay EUR 2,500/year, and personal members pay EUR 20/year. In 2024, membership fees contributed EUR 935,580 of the EUR 1,109,614 in net sales, with grants and project funding (EUR 167,225 in 2024, up from EUR 74,645 in 2023, from Nordic Council of Ministers, TT Foundation, European Climate Foundation, TAH Foundation and others) covering the remainder. The organization is led by CEO Tuuli Kaskinen with Board Chair Sari Baldauf, and operates with a lean core team of roughly 8–10 staff augmented by senior advisors.

Name

Climate Leadership Coalition

Legal name

Climate Leadership Coalition

Website

https://clc.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Climate Leadership Coalition is a Finnish non-profit climate business network, founded in 2014, convening ~96 corporate, academic and city members across Northern Europe to drive business-led climate policy, strategic initiatives (carbon handprint, near-zero steel, carbon removals, COMET), and COP-level advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Business Network and Policy Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH), Offsets & Carbon Removal Procurement Strategy (portfolio design, quality screening) (EUABAKAL), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)

Keywords

• Climate business network
• Climate policy advocacy
• Carbon handprint methodology
• Sustainability coalition membership
• Carbon pricing campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CLC's operations are primarily financed through membership fees. Organizational membership fees: EUR 11,000 for large organizations (net sales of MEUR 50+), EUR 5,500 for small organizations (net sales < MEUR 50), EUR 5,500 for small associations (< 20 persons), EUR 2,500 for foundations and start-ups. Personal membership: EUR 20 annually.
2. Grants and Project Funding: Income from grants and project-based funding. In 2023, grants income was EUR 74,644.95. In 2024, grants income was EUR 167,224.86. Sources include Nordic Council of Ministers, Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers Foundation (TT), and other institutional funders for specific climate initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Climate Leadership Coalition operates a membership-based climate business network that brings together businesses, universities, research institutions, and Nordic cities to develop business-driven climate solutions. Its services include facilitating policy proposals, running strategic thematic initiatives (near-zero emissions steel, circular economy, carbon removals, climate investments in cities, carbon handprint, Call on Carbon), organizing CEO events, hosting peer learning theme groups, publishing climate reports, and coordinating participation in international climate conferences. The coalition pioneered the Carbon Handprint Methodology, a science-based framework for quantifying positive climate impacts aligned with ISO standards.

Product overview

Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC) is a non-profit climate business network organization, not a technology product company. It does not offer a product or service in the traditional SaaS/software sense. CLC functions as a membership-based coalition that brings together businesses, universities, research institutions, and cities to advance climate solutions through policy advocacy, strategic initiatives, publications, events, and collaborative working groups. Its activities include facilitating policy proposals, organizing CEO events, hosting theme groups, publishing climate-related reports, and coordinating international climate conferences participation (COP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circular Economy Coalition: A strategic collaboration uniting leading companies, researchers, and policymakers across industrial value chains in Finland and the Nordics to address structural barriers to circular economy progress.
• Call on Carbon
• Near-Zero Emissions Steel

Products and services

• Organizational Membership Annual membership program granting businesses, universities, research institutions, foundations and cities access to the CLC coalition. Members participate in theme groups, CEO events, peer learning, policy advocacy, and strategic initiatives (near-zero emissions steel, circular economy, carbon removals, climate investments in cities, carbon handprint, Call on Carbon). Tiered pricing is based on the member's net sales or organization size.
• Personal Membership Annual individual membership at EUR 20/year, providing access to CLC's network, events, insights, and community for professionals in strategy and sustainability leadership roles.
• Carbon Handprint Methodology A science-based quantitative framework for measuring positive climate impacts created by organizations through products, services, or solutions that help others reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The methodology is applied through CLC's projects (Carbon Handprint for Cities, regions; communication guidelines) and offered to members and partners adopting it for their own impact assessment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 businesses and organizations sign Call on Carbon initiative representing USD 25 trillion+ market capitalization
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Finland Pavilion at COP30 (Joint initiative with Miltton, EK, Technology Industries of Finland, Finland Chamber of Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Finland is organizing its own pavilion at COP30 in Belém, Brazil (November 2025). Joint initiative of Miltton, Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Technology Industries of Finland, and Finland Chamber of Commerce. Developed in collaboration with Ministry of the Environment, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and Business Finland. Main partners: Nokia and Outokumpu. 17 partners total representing broad range of sectors.
• Nokia (COP30 Finland Pavilion Main Partner)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Gold/Main partner for Finland Pavilion at COP30. Nokia's Head of Sustainability Stakeholder Engagement Anthony D'Arcy represents company. Nokia represents telecommunications sector in climate action advocacy.
• Outokumpu (COP30 Finland Pavilion Main Partner)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025Gold/Main partner for Finland Pavilion at COP30. Outokumpu's SVP Communications Päivi Allenius represents company. Outokumpu represents heavy industry/sustainable steel in pavilion.
• Haga InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic partner in Climate Neutral Nordics project and Call on Carbon campaign. Swedish organization working together with CLC on pan-Nordic climate initiatives.
• Skift Business Climate LeaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic partner in Climate Neutral Nordics project and Call on Carbon campaign. Partnership advancing business climate leadership across Nordic region.
• World Trade Organization (WTO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Call on Carbon campaign and high-level carbon pricing events. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala participated in COP28 event organized by CLC.
• World BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Call on Carbon campaign. World Bank executives participate in CLC-organized high-level events on carbon pricing.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Call on Carbon campaign. IMF representatives participate in CLC events discussing carbon pricing as enabler for investments.
• OECDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Call on Carbon campaign. OECD Environment Directorate Director Jo Tyndall participated in COP28 carbon pricing event.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Call on Carbon campaign. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO participated in high-level panel discussions organized by CLC.
• Combient PurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Strategy Leaders' peer group. Co-hosts peer group sessions for strategy leaders of large companies to exchange expertise on climate strategy.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew member in 2023. Collaborated with CLC to produce Finland's Moonshots for Green Growth report. BCG provided significant support for this influential climate strategy publication.
• LUT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed carbon handprint methodology with VTT. Partner in multiple projects including Carbon Handprint for Cities and regions, Climate Neutral Nordics. Academic partner in climate innovation.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed carbon handprint methodology with LUT University. Key research partner for circular economy, bioeconomy, and climate solutions. Provides scientific expertise for CLC initiatives.
• SwecocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngaged as third-party consultant in 2024 to develop climate investment roadmap and framework for City of Espoo/COMET project. Expertise in sustainable infrastructure and climate planning.
• City of EspoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead city partner for COMET/Espoo Climate Community project under EU Mission Cities. CLC co-develops climate investment framework with Espoo for attracting clean investments and accelerating climate transition.
• We Mean Business CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COP30 advocacy. Collaborated on Statement for a Fossil Fuel Roadmap gathering 100+ company signatories. Global coalition for business climate action.
• Demos HelsinkimajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in Nordic Near-Zero Emissions Steel initiative. Research and consulting partner for steel decarbonization policy work.
• Vancouver Economic CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in launching world's first International Carbon Handprint Award in 2022. Joint effort to highlight solutions creating significant positive climate impacts globally.
• EU NetZeroCities PlatformmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in COMET/Espoo Climate Community project. EU platform for Mission Cities accelerating municipal climate plans.
• EU Climate PactmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLC accepted as EU Climate Pact Partner organization in 2024. Formal engagement with EU climate policy networks and initiatives.
• Business FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Finland Pavilion at COP30 execution. Collaborated on international carbon handprint methodology discussions with WBCSD and Japan.
• Finnish Ministry of the EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Finland Pavilion at COP30. Collaborated on carbon handprint methodology integration into EU legislation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: Global network of nearly 100 major cities addressing climate change. Comparable to CLC's Espoo/COMET city-climate-investment work, but operates at global scale with a broader municipal membership and climate action planning mandate.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global nonprofit business network working with ~300 member companies on sustainability strategy, climate, and human rights. Comparable in member-driven model and advisory-heavy offerings, but operates at a much larger global scale with sustainability consulting capabilities.
• Ceres: US-based sustainability nonprofit mobilizing business and investor leadership on climate change. Functions as a broad incumbent peer to CLC, with comparable business advocacy and policy-shaping activities, but focused on North American markets and capital markets engagement.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global CEO-led organization of ~200+ sustainable businesses working on climate, nature, and equity. Functions as a broader incumbent peer to CLC, with overlapping policy advocacy and member services but at a much larger global scale and broader sustainability remit.
• CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project): Global nonprofit running the world's largest environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, and investors. Comparable to CLC's Net-Zero policy work and Call on Carbon coalition, but at much larger scale and focused on disclosure data rather than general business advocacy.

Direct peers

• Haga Initiative: Swedish business-driven climate coalition with a near-identical membership model and Nordic policy focus. Co-partner with CLC on the Climate Neutral Nordics project and Call on Carbon, making it the closest direct peer for member engagement and policy advocacy.
• We Mean Business Coalition: Global coalition of businesses working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Direct peer — CLC is an active partner in We Mean Business's COP30 advocacy and the Statement for a Fossil Fuel Roadmap, sharing the same business-climate advocacy model across geographies.
• Skift Business Climate Leaders: Norwegian business climate network that, together with CLC and Haga Initiative, forms the Climate Neutral Nordics partnership. Compares directly as it offers the same membership-based business climate advocacy product in an adjacent Nordic country.

Emerging players

• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Corporate target-setting framework for net-zero aligned with climate science. Related to CLC's Near-Zero Emissions Steel and Carbon Handprint work; SBTi adoption creates downstream demand for CLC's transition planning and benchmarking expertise.

Regional players

• Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC): European membership body for investor collaboration on climate change, with comparable coalition-advocacy model. Overlaps with CLC's climate-investment advocacy (e.g., City COMET project) but specifically targets institutional investors rather than corporates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/climate-leadership-coalition-clc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Climate Leadership Coalition