2023: A Strange, Tumultuous Year in Sustainability.

The article discusses three major trends in sustainability in the year 2023. The first trend is the rise of the anti-ESG movement, which criticizes companies for their environmental, social, and governance practices. This movement has led to protests and controversies surrounding certain brands and companies. However, despite the backlash, the focus on ESG by businesses and investors remains strong. The second trend is China's leadership in the clean economy. China has made significant investments in green technology and has reached peak gasoline demand, potentially indicating a shift towards cleaner energy sources. However, critics argue that China is still permitting coal plants, although they are cleaner and many are being cancelled or shelved.Overall, the article highlights the complex and interconnected nature of sustainability, with both positive and negative forces at play. It also mentions other emerging trends such as conservative leaders supporting fossil fuels, concerns about working conditions in the mining supply chain for clean-tech metals, increased reporting requirements and regulations for sustainability, and the growing influence of consumers and Gen Z stakeholders in sustainability. While progress is being made towards a cleaner and more just economy, there are challenges and resistance along the way. [Extracted from the article]