This session examines the risks and opportunities related to climate change for businesses, nonprofit institutions, and governmental organizations and explores the emerging role of the climate change officer. It is critical for organizations to have strong executive-level leadership that is empowered to leverage resources and personnel throughout the organization. Given the far-reaching implications of climate change for industry and government, there is a need to examine organizational structures and culture, to establish an empowered climate change leadership functionincluding a dedicated climate change officerable to engage all organizational components, and to incorporate climate change response into job descriptions and expectations.