Stop talking about sustainability KPI's and starting talking about their KPI's - keeping clients, landing new business, employee attraction and retention, cost savings......that way you get over any resistance they may have around this topic and make it about them meeting the goals of their department and employees.

In my view, winning over stakeholders clearly starts with aligning sustainability with their priorities. My Dos & Don’ts: Do: Tailor your message to their interests—whether it’s cost savings, risk management, or market opportunities. I often reference Paul Polman’s leadership at Unilever, showing how sustainability drives business value. Don’t: Dismiss their concerns. Instead, listen actively and address objections with data-driven insights and real-world examples. Engaging in constructive dialogue builds trust and demonstrates that sustainability isn’t just an ethical choice but a strategic advantage.

Any opposition in ESG / sustainability can be countered by value chain analysis. Or supply chain analysis. Never work on your ESG agenda in a silo. It’s about stakeholders. Involve them. Let them drive. Take a back seat and keep pushing. That’s the way forward. Conflicts when it comes to sustainability are common. Mainly because of profitability / short term long term / priorities. We can never have conflicts non entities end game because that a given …./Net Zero. So conflicts will always be on the process. Stakeholder involvement is the only way to resolve conflicts. Also please understand that not all companies will have the financial strength to work on net zero today. It’s a process.

Develop a clear and structured sustainability plan that outlines the steps, resources required, and timelines. A well-defined strategy can alleviate uncertainty and help stakeholders see the path forward.