In 2025, the sustainability bubble burst, or was at least significantly deflated. Regulatory and political shifts in Brussels and Washington slowed momentum: the EU’s CSRD accelerant was heavily diluted and the froth of the sustainability market was blown away by pushback from vested interests and a political swing to the right.

Sustainability is undergoing a reset. After years of momentum driven by regulation, reporting frameworks, and net-zero commitments, many businesses are reassessing how and why they invest in sustainability.

We’re in the midst of a climate crisis – a major challenge, with only a limited timeframe in which to act. Incrementalism isn’t working; radical solutions are needed to deliver transformative impacts, if we are to maintain a liveable planet and shared prosperity. Yet, culture wars represent a clear and present danger, undermining an effective transition towards a low-carbon economy, while also exacerbating a deteriorating climate.