Marris Adikwu is a culture writer and a keen observer of consumer behaviour. She also writes short stories and reads anything she can get her hands on.

As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Shared Values

Conversations about sustainability are no longer enough. As it becomes all but certain that global heating will increase beyond the 1.5°C of the Paris Agreement, the effects of climate change are already a reality for many communities worldwide. People are not only sensing the urgency of the matter but are realising that existing strategies – on a personal and collective level – are not sufficient.

While companies and businesses were quick to make environmental pledges and commitments, demonstrated by the rising ESG movement in recent years, the momentum has slowed or reversed in the face of economic downturn and potential culture war boycotts. Both people and companies are increasingly confused about the language of sustainability, and vague and misleading vocabulary has led to cases of greenwashing. While climate change is acknowledged as a pressing matter, people no longer understand how they can make a difference – feeling mistrust, scepticism, and fatigue from the oversaturation of messaging from big companies. At the same time, others are angry at the lack of progress, taking more drastic measures to spur governments, businesses, and billionaires into taking action and accountability for their disproportionate environmental impact.

Facing polycrisis in a world that's more interconnected and globalised than ever, people recognise the need for new leaders and ways to mobilise. They're calling for more intersectional approaches to sustainability, looking at long-term social, environmental, economic, and ethical impacts across the supply chain.

At the same time, the cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on people's sustainable behaviours. People often prioritise price over ethics (even if the growth of the eco-luxury sector shows no signs of stopping) but are also increasingly adopting circularity to save on costs – buying more secondhand, seeking out durability, repairing more, and sharing more.

Sustainable Solutions

Gilbert Michaud is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy at the School of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University, Chicago. His research focuses on energy policy and economic development.

Siarhei Palishchuk is a survey engineer and CEO of DronesAlgo, where his work focuses on providing advanced drone mapping services for a wide range of industries.

United Kingdom

Home and garden

Savings and investments

Sustainability

Current News

Prolific North

Interview with Gilbert Michaud conducted by the author

Renewable Energy Magazine

Office for National Statistics

The Eco Experts

RenewableUK

Interview with Siarhei Palishchuk conducted by the author

Mobile Marketing

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Warm This Winter

The Guardian

Politics.co.uk

Energy Live News

Energy Saving Trust

Nesta

Lund University

The Drum

Rising energy costs and declining energy security are expediting the shift towards renewables in the UK. In partnership with Rebel Energy, P2P energy exchange company UrbanChain is looking to address the opportunities, challenges, and risks associated with a more orderly energy transition.