Our thinking

A moment of recalibration: Taking stock of sustainability in the age of populism

20 June, 2025

2025 has turned out to be an interesting year so far, to put it mildly. The populist movement has continued to gather storm, and it’s sometimes felt as though every time we refresh our news feed there is another body blow to the sustainability movement. As we approach the year’s halfway point, we thought it was worth taking a step back and collecting our thoughts on where we are, and how we get back on the front foot, balancing the short-term reality with the long-term imperative for change. Our full response can be found here, and we would love the opportunity to discuss it further with any and all of you, and hear your own thoughts, reflections and ideas.

Long story short – we’re optimistic that this can be done. And we have never wavered in our belief in the power of business to create change, and the benefits to business of doing so. But we think it’s time for a bit of an internal reckoning as well. To face in to some of the critics of sustainability. To admit that there have been times when proclamations of promise outstripped the reality of progress and performance. And to accept that as the world changes, business needs to change with it.

This means a recalibration of target and goals makes sense, in many contexts. It is a time for delivery. And for locking sustainability ever closer to business resilience and value.

Maybe this is a growing up, a maturing of sustainability. A necessary step to provide the defences we need to stand firm to critics. And the foundations for powering business towards a transformative future.

By Larissa Persons