We highlighted the worrying trend of companies stepping back from ESG and net zero commitments. UBS leaving the Net Zero Banking Alliance was just one example of this retreat. But while institutions debate and delay, the real-world impacts of climate change are already here.
Take the UK’s emerging overheating crisis. Our buildings, designed to keep us warm in winter, are now becoming unliveable in summer. A Guardian study shows overheating in UK homes has surged from 18% in 2011 to 80% in 2022, with energy-efficient homes (EPC A or B) twice as likely to overheat. This isn’t because insulation is wrong, it’s because climate change is driving hotter, longer summers that our infrastructure was not designed for.
This is the consequence of inaction. Rollbacks and diluted ESG targets might appease political and financial pressures, but climate change won’t wait. Each delay leaves people, businesses, and communities more exposed, whether through health risks, lost productivity, or rising costs of adaptation.
Now is the moment for committed organisations to show leadership:
- Hold firm on ESG and net zero, even when it’s difficult.
- Build resilience into homes, workplaces, and infrastructure.
- Prove that sustainability isn’t just ethical — it drives long-term returns and protects communities.
Overheating buildings are not a design flaw. They are a warning sign of the climate reality we face. Pulling back from ESG now would be the worst possible response. The right time for bold action is now.
The choice is clear: step back and watch risks grow, or step up and lead the transition to a safer, more resilient future