The year is 2013 and I am running for Member of Parliament as a Green party rep in my home country. I realise 2 things- environmental concerns are not among the focal points. And being part of the Green party does not give you the needed credibility to talk about the main concerns like unemployment, energy prices, infrastructure (even though we have well-prepared plans for all these problems). 

Fast forward to 2023, when sustainability is a well-known term, embedded in regulation around the world. I might have abandoned my political aspirations, but I cheer from the benches as the UN SDGs, TCFD, TNFD, CSRD, ISSB make the headlines and my day to day job is talking to firms about this regulation. Yet when we look at the political playground, we still see cautiousness and resistance to this term. Climate proposals are being labelled as “bold” and polarising in the US, with the presidential elections likely to decide one more time the fate of the US climate policies going forward. And the EU must defend its strategy on a daily basis and to justify the regulatory efforts in front of strong lobbies.

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword or a niche interest group concern. It is a critical issue that is impacting every aspect of our lives, from the economy to the environment to social equity. As we approach upcoming elections in the US, UK, and EU, it is more important than ever that we elect leaders who are committed to taking action on sustainability.

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Being stuck in the past and trying to attach a party lens to something that will ultimately affect absolutely everyone is baffling and dangerous. It lacks the forward look we so desperately need to be able to tackle a crisis that is beyond everything we have had to address in our lifetime. At a time when science is finally making its way through the clutter of daily news, we should stop throwing buckets of political paint on ESG and should try to see it as a good match for every political shade instead.

The upcoming elections in the US, UK, and EU are an opportunity for voters to make a real difference on sustainability. By electing leaders who are committed to taking action on climate change and promoting sustainable development, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.

This article is contributed by Gergana Tomova. Every week ESG News delivers smart commentary from ESG practitioners and experts to unpack issues of the day. Submit an article for editorial consideration for the ESG Unpacked series here: [email protected]