“In March 2025, the US formally rejected the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The US decision marks a significant departure from previous bipartisan support for multilateral sustainability frameworks.” Harvard Forum on Corporate Governance, April 2025.
The impact of this policy shift and its potential implications for corporate sustainability efforts and the environment, social & governance (ESG) landscape on international businesses is significant. I was delighted to join Adam Gates, Becky Mackarel and Richard Plaistowe, Odgers Interim, as a keynote speaker once more as part of an ongoing series of debates where we explored the implications of these recent actions on business.
Such a move reflects and has accelerated broader shifts in the legal and political landscape for corporate sustainability across the world with the ripple effect being felt keenly on climate-related initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
During this webinar we put the spotlight sharply on the latter, examining the potential consequences of the Executive Orders coming out of the US on DEI, discrimination in the workplace and the recognition of only two sexes – male and female – and opposing the concept of gender identity. Many businesses are questioning what impact this should have on their approach to DEI, in particular those businesses seeking to take a global approach.
You can read more about the discussion here in a write up on the webinar, first published as part of Odgers Interim Insights series.