Sustainability is at a pivotal moment. Amid political backlash, greenhushing, and growing scrutiny of ESG and DEI, many have questioned whether the movement has lost momentum. We invited Andrew Winston, globally respected sustainability advisor, bestselling author, and recently named #1 management thinker in the world with Paul Polman by Thinkers50, to share his perspective on where sustainability truly stands. Drawing on his recent Fortune article, “2025: The Year Sustainability Didn’t Die,” Andrew explains why critics have misread the signals. While companies may be quieter publicly, the underlying drivers of climate impacts, demographic shifts, market forces, and technological innovation continue to accelerate action across sectors and geographies.

This conversation explores where meaningful progress is unfolding, from China’s rapid expansion in clean energy and electric vehicles to investments in decarbonization and electrification. Andrew examines why sustainability is often held to a higher ROI standard than other business investments, how leaders can better articulate long-term value creation, and what courage looks like in today’s climate of uncertainty. This conversation ultimately centers on a deeper question facing every executive: Is the world better off because your business is in it?

Listen for insights on:

Why sustainability continues despite political backlash
Making a stronger ROI case for sustainability
Balancing AI innovation with decarbonization goals

Resources + Links:

Watch this conversation on YouTube
Andrew Winston’s Website
Fortune: 2025: the year sustainability didn’t die
Net Positive
Andrew Winston's Books

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Meet Andrew Winston, Winston Eco-Strategies
(04:14) - Andrew’s Background
(06:12) - Evolution of Sustainability
(08:23) - Purpose and Sustainability
(09:25) - Fortune Article
(11:09) - CEO Characteristics
(13:40) - Flourishing
(14:27) - AI and Energy Demand
(18:17) - ROI Metrics
(20:38) - Courage Is Critical
(23:09) - Health and Sustainability
(24:07) - Deciding Where to Invest
(25:23) - Truly at Risk
(27:52) - One Non-Negotiable
(28:49) - Last Word
(29:55) - Wrap Up