As London Climate Action Week puts the spotlight back on corporate climate ambition, it arrives at a moment of transition for the sustainability landscape. In the last twelve months, corporate sustainability has found itself in an unprecedented state of flux, caught between turbulent geopolitics, economic uncertainty and a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. While some organisations are doubling down on climate commitments, others are quietly scaling back on their sustainability ambitions. This dynamic tension reflects a maturing movement where initial enthusiasm is giving way to pragmatic reassessment – and in my opinion, rightly so. What’s emerging is a natural evolution toward a more integrated and operational approach to corporate climate action.
Learning from Setbacks and Building Resilience
While some companies have scaled back, this shouldn’t be viewed as failure but as part of a natural learning process. Smart companies are using these experiences to develop more realistic, achievable goals while maintaining their fundamental commitment to environmental progress. The key insight is that sustainable transformation requires iteration, experimentation and sometimes course correction. Companies that remain committed to the overall journey while adjusting specific tactics are building more resilient and ultimately more successful sustainability programmes.
The Continued Importance of the CSO
I’ve been immersed in the world of corporate sustainability for over a decade now, but the question still persists: as sustainability becomes more embedded into core business operations and Boards become more knowledgeable on climate issues, does this negate the need for a Chief Sustainability Officer?
I was lucky enough to observe a panel discussion with Kathy Ryan, CSO at M&G, Cressida Curtis, CSO at Wates and Rhian Kelly, CSO at National Grid, who confirmed my view that, whilst evolving, the role of the CSO is fundamental to delivering corporate climate ambition. The orchestra always needs a conductor!
Innovation as the Engine of Change
What makes today’s corporate sustainability movement particularly exciting is its foundation in cutting-edge innovation. In 2025, sustainability innovation trends will assist organisations in achieving their long-term climate goals. Companies are leveraging artificial intelligence, advanced materials science and breakthrough technologies to solve previously intractable environmental challenges – and proving that innovation and sustainability are natural partners. The integration of technology isn’t just improving environmental outcomes; it’s creating entirely new business models and revenue streams. Organisations that embrace these innovations early are positioning themselves as leaders in the new green economy.
UK Reporting Guidelines
One of the most encouraging pieces of news to emerge from last week was the UK government’s draft of the new Sustainability Reporting Standards (SRS). In a year where discussions have centred around the watering down of proposed regulatory frameworks in the EU, it’s of vital importance that the UK takes a leading role in using compliance as a tool to deliver action.
Looking Ahead: Reasons for Continued Optimism
As we look toward the future, several trends give me reason for sustained optimism about corporate sustainability:
- The pace of environmental innovation continues to accelerate, with new breakthroughs emerging regularly in areas like renewable energy, carbon capture, and circular economy solutions.
- More companies across more sectors are making meaningful sustainability commitments, creating a broader base of environmental leadership.
- Corporate sustainability strategies are becoming more sophisticated, data-driven, and integrated with core business operations.
- Capital flows toward sustainable business practices continue to increase, providing the resources needed for large-scale transformation.
- Growing consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products are creating powerful market incentives for corporate environmental leadership.
Yes, significant challenges remain in the fight against climate change. Yes, some companies need to move faster and do more. But the corporate sustainability movement has reached a tipping point where environmental leadership is becoming the norm rather than the exception.
At Hanson Search, we partner with purpose-driven organisations to help them build world-class sustainability and ESG teams. From Chief Sustainability Officers to impact-led communicators and policy experts, we connect businesses with the people driving transformation across sectors. If you’re growing your sustainability function, or considering your next move, get in touch.
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