Sustainability Didn’t Die in 2025 with Andrew Winston

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 (    • Sustainability Didn’t Die in 2025 with And...   ) Andrew Winston’s Website ( https://andrewwinston.com/ ) Fortune: 2025: the year sustainability didn’t die ( https://fortune.com/2025/12/21/2025-t... ) Net Positive ( https://netpositive.world/#order-window ) Andrew Winston's Books ( https://andrewwinston.com/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 Purpose 360 with Carol Cone Episode 220 March 10, 2026 ★ Episode details: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ebc1f46c ★ Additional episodes: https://purpose360podcast.com