Turning Climate Action into Competitive Advantage

The Business Confederation of North Macedonia (BCNM), with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has published a new business brief titled “Turning climate action into competitive advantage – A business brief for North Macedonia.” The publication highlights how the low-carbon and just transition is no longer only a regulatory obligation, but a strategic opportunity for businesses to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and long-term growth .

The brief explains why companies—especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises—must act now in response to climate change, evolving EU regulations such as the Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and shifting investor and consumer expectations. It shows how sustainability, when embedded into business strategies, can unlock access to new markets, improve access to finance, increase productivity, and enhance reputation.

A strong emphasis is placed on the just transition, highlighting the importance of investing in people, reskilling the workforce, and ensuring that climate action is fair and inclusive. Through concrete examples and case studies from North Macedonia and abroad, the brief demonstrates that green transformation can deliver real business value while supporting decent work and social cohesion.

The publication also outlines how the BCNM can support companies through policy advocacy, guidance on sustainability requirements, access to green finance opportunities, and platforms for knowledge exchange and social dialogue.

The full business brief is available here.