Are Companies Actually Scaling Back Their Climate Commitments?

"The headlines seem clear: Corporate ESG is retreating. Sustainability is under political fire. Coalitions are dissolving. Climate commitments appear dead. Under closer examination, however, a more nuanced picture emerges: Although a fraction of companies have pulled back, many more are staying the course, or even doubling down. They're just doing it quietly."

"Neil Hawkins , Sc.D., is a member of the graduate faculty of Harvard University Division of Continuing Education and Extension School where he leads the consulting capstone for the Masters degree in Sustainability. He is also President of Michigan Sustainability Associates. A highly experienced executive at Dow Chemical across 31 years, he served his last ten years as Chief Sustainability Officer and Corporate Vice President, part of the C-suite. He has held many executive and board roles across a wide variety of organizations."

" is an innovation strategist, entrepreneur and consulting leader who has advised extensively on emerging technology and disruptive growth across capital markets. Through her company, Kelly Cooper Sustainable Innovation Group, she partners with executives to advance strategy and solutions that align ecological, financial, and social outcomes."

Public headlines portray a retreat from corporate ESG, political attacks on sustainability, dissolving coalitions, and dead climate commitments. Despite some corporate pullback, a larger share of companies continue or increase sustainability efforts. Many firms pursue climate and sustainability goals quietly rather than through prominent public commitments. Experienced corporate sustainability executives and innovation strategists remain engaged across academia, consulting, corporate leadership, and advisory roles. Companies advance strategies that align ecological, financial, and social outcomes through executive leadership, partnerships, and sustained operational commitments. Quiet persistence by a broad set of firms preserves momentum for long-term sustainability transformation despite visible setbacks.

Read at Harvard Business Review