Sustainability LIVE London 2024: Insights from Kearney
Delivering a keynote presentation at Sustainability LIVE London Global Summit 2024, Angela Hultberg, Global Sustainability Director at Kearney, explored how organisations can turn environmental challenges into opportunities by integrating sustainability across all levels, rethinking business models and addressing cultural barriers.
Angela brings focus to a crucial aspect of corporate sustainability - the need to shift from isolated projects to a business-wide transformation.
Angela opens with a compelling question: “Does my business bring more value into the world than it sucks out of it? These are the questions it's time to start talking about.”
Drawing a parallel with digitalisation, she explains that sustainability has similarly disrupted industries, demanding systemic changes.
“And then there was a crash. Much like with digitalisation [..] And the same thing will happen here.
"It's not like we're going to go back to not caring about the planet. It's not like we're going to go back to trying to burn as much fossil fuel as we possibly can. We have shifted,” she notes.
Angela warns against the common trap of sustainability fatigue, where enthusiasm fades after initial commitments like net zero pledges.
She urges businesses to bridge the "execution gap" between their current actions and their ambitious targets.
Short-term wins, such as deploying electric vehicles and improving energy efficiency, must be balanced with long-term strategies to ensure a resilient and regenerative business model.
The power of all-hands collaboration
Angela emphasises the importance of engaging the entire organisation in sustainability efforts, rather than relegating responsibility to underfunded sustainability departments.
“Cost reduction is very important to most businesses in the world. But there are no cost reduction champions because everyone knows that cost reduction is an important part of doing business and it is a real job.
"It's not an extra and we still keep treating sustainability as an extra on the side that you can champion because you are passionate,” she argues.
The key to success lies in embedding sustainability into the core of every department.
For example, procurement teams need clear guidance on how their decisions align with the company's broader vision.
Angela also highlights the shift towards circularity, pointing to companies like IKEA adopting refurbished and second-hand business models.
“We need to start thinking regenerative.
"How can we work with circularity to close loops? We have enough stuff. We do.
"There is enough material out there to go circular to stop trying new things out of the ground.”
She notes that cultural change is critical to this transformation, sharing her experiences of resistance.
Angela recognises resistance into four types: lack of awareness, lack of relevance, lack of understanding and outright opposition.
Her advice is to address each issue with tailored communication while embedding sustainability into the organisation's DNA through clear metrics, incentives and governance structures.
Redesigning business for sustainability
The most thought-provoking part of Hultberg’s session centered on rethinking traditional business models to meet future demands.
She cites the automotive industry as an example, questioning whether companies should continue selling cars or shift to leasing to retain control over valuable resources like batteries.
“The battery is now the most valuable part of the car. So what do I do with that battery?
"What are the value pools? How do I tap into it?” she poses.
These "uncomfortable questions," as Angela describes them, are necessary for businesses to future-proof themselves.
She urges organisations to view sustainability as an opportunity to thrive, rather than a compliance exercise.
“Just because it's hard doesn't mean we get to not do it. Because honestly, all businesses and the planet truly depend on it.”
Essential diary dates for 2025
Discover the essential diary dates for Sustainability Magazine and its sister publications – Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital.
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2025 diary dates:
- Sustainability LIVE: Malta | 20 February
- Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero | 5-6 March
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability | 5-6 March
- Sustainability LIVE Singapore | 18 March
- Sustainability LIVE Dubai | 22 April
- Sustainability LIVE Chicago | 28-29 May
- Procurement LIVE Chicago | 28-29 May
- Supply Chain LIVE Chicago | 28-29 May
- Sustainability LIVE: London Climate Action Week | 26 June
- Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September
- The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September
- Sustainability LIVE: DE&I | 11 November
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