6 February, 2026

In recent times there has been a marked absence of corporate leaders rushing to stick their heads above the parapet, especially on sustainability where the political weather can change in an instant. Which is why it was refreshing to hear PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta cut through the noise and say something very simple: sustainability isn’t at odds with profitability, it’s at odds with short termism. 

At the World Economic Forum, Laguarta argued that companies need to reframe the whole debate. It isn’t “green versus growth”, it’s “now versus the future”. Growth only works if the resources you rely on still exist tomorrow. PepsiCo’s own strategy reset last year acknowledged it wasn’t on track, so the company updated its sustainability targets and rebuilt its plans around a 1.5 degree pathway. Not perfect, but honest. And importantly, Laguarta stressed sustainability must be owned by the board and embedded in operating plans, that it requires leadership, resources, and accountability to make a change at scale. 

And then there’s Nestlé. A smaller note in a similar tune, but still telling. CEO Philipp Navratil recently admitted the company should have been more vocal on sustainability and blamed the silence partly on the political environment in the US, where investor conversations have all but stopped asking about climate. But, crucially, he’s now saying publicly that going quiet was a mistake and reaffirming net zero goals. A subtle moment, but one that matters. 

Because here’s the point: when corporates speak clearly and candidly about sustainability, they shift expectations for everyone else. When they go quiet, the void fills with doubt. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present. And right now, the companies choosing to talk openly are the ones shaping the future.  

By Meg Seckel