Trellis wrote lasts week:
- “70 percent of experts say there’s a significant backlash against the sustainability agenda in their country, up 13 percentage points from 2024.
- North America is most polarized, with nine in ten experts reporting significant backlash compared to just 38 percent in Asia-Pacific.”
I’m guessing you already knew that – or are feeling it directly.
“The surge in backlash – particularly in North America and Europe – reflects growing polarization around sustainability. In these more resistant markets, progress will require careful messaging, stronger coalitions and reframing sustainability in ways that resonate with local priorities and issues.”
What is the most powerful way to “reframe sustainability in ways that resonate with local priorities and issues” in the US? In my opinion, reduce (or maybe even eliminate) framing the issue as ESG or sustainability altogether – put it in business terms.
At least for the next few years, putting ESG/sustainability in the context of business fundamentals will get you out of the crosshairs of anti-ESG activists, regulators and lawsuits who tend not to argue about companies improving revenues, profits and reducing costs and risks.
We’ll have more on this topic coming soon…
If this article resonates with you, check out our member resources – from Day 1 we focused on the practical business value of sustainability. Members have access to Guidebooks such as Simplifying ESG/Sustainability Business Value, E&S Risk Reduction Concepts and Valuations and Communicating ESG Value.
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