This year’s UNGC Annual Summit in the UK was therefore a timely opportunity for us to pause, reflect on our journey, see how industry leaders are pushing forward across sustainability, and engage with peers facing similar challenges in a world shaped by geopolitical disruption, regulatory uncertainty, and accelerating climate risks.
The Summit offered a mix of sessions on sustainable value chains, responsible finance, inclusion and decent work, the role of ESG in competitive advantage, and communicating sustainability. Speakers came from business, NGOs, academia, and government, each sharing their view on the issues and what progress in the sustainability space looks like in 2025 and beyond.
Sustainability wasn’t framed as just the “right thing to do,” but as part of how businesses deal with uncertainty. While it remains a principle, it is also now intrinsically tied to how businesses adapt to change, manage risks, gain competitive advantage, and position themselves for lasting success.
A few themes held particular significance for us. The first being shared responsibility across the value chain. Businesses need to involve their suppliers and partners to make sure sustainable practices are applied consistently. Those further along in their sustainability journeys are often in crucial positions to engage their value chain to build capacity and competencies. This collaboration can alleviate some significant problems for companies especially in areas where data is limited or reporting is difficult, for example with Scope 3 emissions or auditing labour practices.
The second was the importance of tailoring one’s sustainability efforts. No company can tackle every issue at once, so delivering lasting impact comes from focusing your resources on those elements that matter most to your business and, crucially, your stakeholders. When assessing the impact an initiative will have, it is vital to ensure your efforts make sense in their local context and that those efforts address real needs rather than just following trends or checking boxes.
Finally, as a stakeholder engagement agency, we found the debate among sustainability practitioners about how to communicate sustainability particularly engaging. We strongly agree that it’s not enough to simply describe our sustainability efforts and why we believe they are the right thing for us at Black Sun; we need to explain why they matter to our stakeholders, our communities, and the systems we are part of.
The Summit was both a reminder of how much work remains and a reassurance that we are part of a broader community that is fully galvanized by a shared determination to secure a better and more sustainable future.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you better communicate your sustainability efforts, please get in touch with Bob Crosbie-Dawson, BCrosbie-Dawson@blacksun-global.com
Black Sun Global is a stakeholder advisory and engagement agency that's been driving transformation and positive change for ambitious brands for more than 20 years. With deep expertise in disclosure and reporting, ESG, sustainability, and digital engagement, we reshape how organisations connect with customers, investors, employees, and the wider world.
We are trusted partners to some of the most influential global organisations, sparking innovation and sustainable performance through our strategic insights, partnerships, and proprietary technologies.
As founders of the Positive Change Group, we are on a mission to create a new kind of stakeholder relations partner. Our world-class specialists work closely with executive leadership teams to protect reputations, inspire trust, and promote responsible business practices - building resilience and long-term value in a rapidly changing world.
For more information, please visit: www.blacksun-global.com
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