BCG · Sustainability / corporate strategy · Intermediate · 25-35 min

Set a climate strategy

Set a climate strategy is an intermediate BCG sustainability / corporate strategy case interview that runs 25-35 min. Build the business case for acting and prioritize the most sensible initiatives. A strong answer works through 3 phases: Cost versus impact of initiatives; Capability gaps; Competitive and stakeholder implications.

Last updated 2026-09-05

The brief

A global company wants to set a climate target and choose which initiatives will help achieve it.

How to approach it

  1. Cost versus impact of initiatives
  2. Capability gaps
  3. Competitive and stakeholder implications

What a strong answer does

  • Build the business case for acting and prioritize the most sensible initiatives.
  • A strong answer should balance emissions impact, economics, feasibility, and strategic positioning.

Practice drills

  • Prioritize emissions levers with a simple abatement logic.
  • Frame the case for action beyond compliance.
  • Recommend a sequenced climate roadmap.

Why this case

BCG publishes this exact theme as one of its case interview preparation quizzes.

Adapted from BCG prep quiz: Set a climate strategy (official sample).

Cases are written in each firm's style, written and reviewed by working consultants; they are not the firms' own published cases.

More BCG cases