For sustainability, 2021 was a year of strong words, a couple of practical steps forward and some contact with harsh realities. Let’s review.
1) Commitments to net zero increased, but so did carbon emissions.
2) Water scarcity came back into focus.
3) Governments continued to demonstrate unbridled haplessness despite all words and enthusiasm at COP26.
4) The world received its first sustainability accounting body, the most important development of the year..
5) We learned that an energy transition takes years and not months.
6) Greenwashing started to not pay as experienced by Deutsche Bank.
7) China made some noises, and then erected a massive array of coal burning utilities.
8) Germany surrendered its energy policy to Russia.
9) The U.S. came up with a massive climate policy and then failed to pass it.
10) Boards upped their diversity efforts (prompted by SROs/regulators).
Looking forward to seeing what 2022 brings.