Localized Sustainability

About the Report

Our Localized Sustainability Project helps leaders navigate this fragmented world by identifying what can be standardized globally and what must be adapted regionally. This report offers practical insights for companies balancing international ambitions with local execution.

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Navigating Regional Differences and Opportunities

As global needs and expectations diverge, companies face a complex landscape. Some markets push back against sustainability goals, while others demand urgent action on environmental and social issues. In this period of recalibration, success hinges on shifting from broad commitments to practical, localized strategies that align with local cultures, regulations, and conditions.

Our discussions with Chief Sustainability Officers highlighted both shared global challenges and distinct regional priorities in the sustainability agenda.

Three macro themes emerged across all regions.

Value Creation – As we move from a period of ambitious commitments and face pushback in some regions, it becomes essential to show how sustainability efforts create value to accelerate broad business support.

Collaboration – Partnerships across industries, supply chains, and communities are critical for driving meaningful impact beyond the first steps that companies can make on their own.

Legislation – This is crucial to delivering systems change, but companies must navigate the diverse political and regulatory landscapes helping to inform more effective, joined-up legislative approaches.

At this critical moment for the sustainability agenda, businesses must strike a balance between global strategy and local realities. While approaches must be tailored to different markets, key lessons emerge as essential for driving meaningful, lasting impact.

About the Study

We conducted in-depth discussions with Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) across five key regions – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America – to uncover local challenges and successes.

We also analyzed GlobeScan’s global public opinion research to understand shifting societal expectations, concerns, and aspirations.