ESG Monday: 5 Trends from March 2025
ESG MONDAY: 5 ESG TRENDS FROM MARCH
Here at Nordic Impact Lab, we always spend the first monday of a new month, looking back at the past month’s ESG trends, news and developments. Here is our CEO, Charlotte Vang Gregersen’s main takeaways:
March 2025 will be remembered as the month where ESG and DEI became truly political — across markets, sectors, and boardrooms. But interestingly, this shift hasn’t been all bad news. In fact, for some companies and consumers, a strong ESG commitment is now emerging as a signal of resilience — a way to stand firm in a world of rising geopolitical risk, market fragmentation, and regulatory complexity.
The big question is: Are we seeing the foundations of a long-term trend — or will the political pushback prove too strong to resist?
1️⃣ From Compliance to Business Opportunity
We’re seeing clear signs that some companies are moving beyond a "tick-the-box" approach to ESG. Increasingly, ESG is seen as a business opportunity — tied to risk management, brand positioning, supply chain stability, and talent attraction. ESG is moving from the sustainability department into the heart of business strategy.
2️⃣ A Divided Business Community on DEI
On the other side ESG is also becoming a fault line within the corporate world. Some companies are retreating from DEI policies under political pressure, while others are standing their ground — recognising that social impact is central to long-term brand trust and stakeholder value. At the same time, consumers are becoming more conscious of how to use their purchasing power — and that is a force worth watching.
3️⃣ Tariffs, Slow Fashion & The End of Cheap Stuff
With new tariffs being enforced, and the UK’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, declaring that “fast fashion and cheap TVs are over” — we’re witnessing a profound market shift. Yes, this will likely hit low-income consumers the hardest — and that should not be overlooked. At the same time, from a sustainability perspective, this shift could help us move away from the
overproduction and waste culture that has shaped the past 30 years. The challenge ahead is making sure the transition is fair, inclusive, and leaves no one behind.
4️⃣ Local Production — Powered by Reliable Energy
In a world of AI acceleration and global uncertainty, local production isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s becoming a strategic necessity. And the most valuable resource isn’t capital — it’s energy. Where stable, affordable energy flows — factories, jobs, and innovation will follow.
5️⃣ Is ESG for the 1%?
This is the uncomfortable question we've heard more than once lately. ESG is at risk of being perceived as a "luxury concern" of the Global North. This is exactly why we need to reframe ESG — not as an elite exercise — but as a tool to
connect corporations, investors, and governments with small producers, landowners, and local communities. At its core, ESG is about inclusion, resilience, and shared value.
We in the Global North have a responsibility to communicate this: ESG isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s about shared responsibility and resilience.
Are you seeing these trends in your sector?
