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Kylie McIntyre

  •  
17 Jan
  •  
2 minute read

Sustainability in 2025

Rising costs, regulation, geopolitical instability, natural disasters, shifting consumer expectations, and advancing technology present both opportunities and challenges for organisations looking to transition to more environmentally sustainable ways of working. For senior leaders, the ability to address these complexities while fostering sustainability is critical.

To thrive, leaders must focus on two key strategies.

Prioritise Short-Term Actions for Long-Term Impact

The journey to sustainability is no longer about distant targets like net-zero by 2050. Many organisations are adopting a pragmatic "203X" approach, concentrating on immediate, actionable goals that deliver tangible benefits. This shift emphasises organic growth, rapid adaptability, and financial viability in the face of fluctuating markets.

Achieving this balance requires:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Tailor strategies to specific organisational needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.
  • Securing Stakeholder Buy-In: Aligning diverse stakeholders around sustainability goals to ensure investments yield measurable returns.
  • Policy and Regulation Alignment: Proactively working within regulatory frameworks to minimise risks and maximise opportunities.

The emphasis on short-term pragmatism doesn’t mean sacrificing long-term vision. Instead, it’s about laying the groundwork for sustained growth while demonstrating immediate progress.

Investing in Partnerships and Skills Development

Embedding sustainability into core strategies is no longer optional—it’s an imperative. Leaders face the challenge of navigating trade-offs between profitability and environmental impact, but collaboration can make all the difference.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Building Circular Economies: Partnering with other organisations to reduce waste and create closed-loop systems.
  • Cross-Silo Thinking: Training leaders to break down organisational silos and adopt a holistic view of challenges and solutions.
  • Leadership Development: Equipping leaders with the skills to influence, coach, and inspire their teams towards sustainable transformation.

Partnerships also extend beyond organisations. Engaging with suppliers, communities, and policymakers fosters a more resilient and interconnected approach to sustainability.

You can find out more about this topic by reading the latest guide from Bain.

Accelerating Change with Making Waves

For organisations committed to sustainability, our business simulation, Making Waves, offers a transformative learning experience. This engaging tool equips leaders to make smarter, sustainability-focused decisions while balancing financial outcomes.

By fostering alignment across teams and inspiring decisive action, Making Waves enables organisations to accelerate their journey towards a sustainable future. Join leading companies like PepsiCo, Aggregate Industries, and Cargill in using this innovative approach to drive meaningful change.

Attend our open demo on Wednesday 26th February at 3pm UK to find out more.

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