Program on the Environment

In an era where Western politicians are shifting away from environmental initiatives, other stakeholders must be able to continue on past sustainable progress. Throughout my internship with Nasdaq’s Sustainability team, I supported clients throughout their sustainability regulatory journeys by working on Metrio, our sustainability accounting and reporting platform. Additionally, I spent time conducting regulatory research regarding international corporate sustainability reporting regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). My research led to an interest in how companies have changed their behaviors within the last year. This project, therefore, explores how the current political climate has impacted corporate sustainability efforts and how stakeholders can counter those influences. To support my research, I interviewed industry experts, analyzed peer-reviewed literature, and examined consumer and corporate sentiment surveys. I found that, first and foremost, reducing the reporting burden on companies by focusing on headline key metrics can free up time for sustainability professionals to focus on meaningful projects instead of reporting. Additional solutions may include state and local governments stepping in where the federal government has pulled back, as well as changing language to avoid pushback from federal regulators. While not a perfect solution to the problems stakeholders face due to heightened scrutiny of sustainable practices, these strategies provide a path forward for parties interested in maintaining sustainability in corporate practices. Despite these strategies, regulatory uncertainty still poses a major risk to the environment, and therefore, all stakeholders must continue to advocate for a sustainable future.