It’s a paradox. We are doing more than ever to tackle climate change, taking strides that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, yet we feel more overwhelmed and even terrified. This is the “eco-anxiety” everybody’s talking about, and the young feel it most.

But there is good news. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability has risen up the corporate and global agenda as more CEOs and world leaders recognize the systemic nature of the challenges we face. On climate, 65 percent of countries, accounting for around 90 percent of global emissions, now have some kind of net-zero commitment, as do hundreds of big companies and $130 trillion worth of private capital. Social issues such as racial equity and economic inequality are beginning to get greater attention in more boardrooms. Technology, too, is lowering the costs of sustainable business at a remarkable rate and creating multitrillion-dollar opportunities.

Collectively, we’re moving, but we’re not moving fast enough. Climate change isn’t linear, it’s exponential: The worse it gets, the faster it goes. Corporate commitments are growing, but are often far from what is needed, and the “say-do” gap from both politicians and business leaders is still too wide. Courage is missing among leaders who too often prefer to kick the can down the road by setting, for example, 2050 targets, when the real window for curbing global emissions is the next eight years.

So, in a world where we’re doing more, but even more is needed, how do we find our courage and willpower? How do we step up to build a private sector that drives higher ambition, directs the best of human ingenuity and trillions of dollars towards our shared problems, and collaborates with government and civil society in radical new partnerships for needed systems change?

We’re often asked, “How do I make a difference? I’m not the CEO. What can I do?” The answer is: a lot. Companies can only truly become net positive when seasoned and passionate professionals provide leadership from the middle out.

  • You are the bridge between senior executives and a younger workforce that needs no convincing. 
  • You are also agents of your company’s culture.
  • Finally, you’re the conduit to the outside world, to the stakeholders and wider systems that we need to transform.

Read the full article about sustainability professionals by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston at Grist.