Imagining a better future

No matter what your political beliefs are, it's hard not to assume that the president-elect Trump's victory last week was a blow to sustainability efforts. His return to power, combined with a lackluster COP29 currently taking place, makes it easy to feel cynical about the fight against climate change.

Yet even though a Trump administration will likely be more hospitable to the fossil fuel industry, and regulatory agencies like the EPA will lose some of their bite, that does not mean that the world has to backslide. Politicians come and go, but individuals and businesses can chart a longer course as they work toward future goals, like the SBTi goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Moreover, companies that interpret Trump's win to mean that the public doesn't care much about the environment are likely mistaken. This election has shown that voters often take conflicting actions, such as voting for progressive ballot measures in some states like increasing the minimum wage, while at the same time voting for candidates who are generally opposed to a higher minimum wage.

So, while the majority of voters might be willing to allow a climate-hostile candidate to take office, that does not mean that they'll vote with their dollars in the same way.

Companies that continue to prioritize sustainability and demonstrate how consumers benefit from that — such as cost savings through less material waste, increased longevity of products through the use of higher-quality materials, or reinvestment in local communities with an emphasis on social responsibility — have an opportunity to benefit even more in this polarized political environment.

Figuring out how to capitalize on this situation isn't easy, but it often starts with changing the approach to how boards and corporate executives approach sustainability issues.

In our latest guest post from Sarah Elsmore, strategy lead at purpose-focused consultancy co:collective, she shares why and how companies need to imagine a better future:

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