At the 2024 Climate & Sustainability Leadership Summit, four global leaders—Gil Bashe, Jessica Berk Ross, Aman Gupta, and Terri Bloore of FINN Partners—come together to discuss the pressing need for collaboration in tackling the climate crisis. In their session, “Global Voices for Sustainability,” they emphasize the importance of leadership, communication, and strategic action in addressing this urgent global issue. The session highlights how businesses, governments, and societies can take meaningful steps toward building a more sustainable future.
The Urgency of Global Collaboration
Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health & Purpose at FINN Partners, sets the tone for the session by stressing the accelerating climate emergency. “We are in an age of urgency,” Bashe states, pointing to the record-breaking environmental disasters of 2024, including unprecedented temperatures, floods, and wildfires. “The signs are undeniable,” he continues, reminding the audience that while investments in clean energy are rising, “we’re not acting fast enough.”
Bashe frames the discussion by emphasizing that the time for action is now. While global leaders are increasingly setting ambitious targets, the window to prevent further climate damage is rapidly closing. “We’ve crossed the critical 1.5-degree threshold,” Bashe says, underscoring the need for immediate and decisive efforts to reverse the trend.
From Talk to Action: The Role of Leadership
Bashe’s call to action sets the stage for the other panelists to share their insights. Jessica Berk Ross, Managing Partner for Global Public Affairs at FINN Partners, highlights the vital role of communication in turning conversation into action. “The transformation we need is complex, but the goal is simple: to create vibrant economies and save lives,” Ross explains.
Ross notes a key evolution in how the world talks about climate change—there’s been a shift from discussing “climate change” to recognizing it as a “climate crisis.” This change, she argues, reflects a growing awareness of the urgent threat the planet faces. “This week is about urgency, and urgency requires a converging of efforts,” Ross says. She emphasizes the need for collaboration among businesses, governments, and civil society to achieve the large-scale change necessary.
For businesses, Ross underscores that sustainability must be woven into every aspect of corporate strategy. “It’s not enough to make small, incremental steps,” she asserts. “We need bold and decisive actions from leaders across all sectors if we are going to build a sustainable future.”
Regional Perspectives: Europe and India in Focus
Terri Bloore, Senior Partner for Purpose at FINN Partners, offers a European perspective on sustainability. She notes that across Europe, businesses are being pushed to adopt sustainable practices, not just by consumer demand, but also by new regulations. “Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’—it’s a business necessity,” Bloore explains. She highlights how regulatory pressures across Europe are forcing companies to rethink their operations and integrate sustainability into their long-term plans.
However, Bloore points out that Europe’s approach to sustainability is not uniform. “Germany and the Nordics are at the forefront of this shift, while other regions are still catching up,” she says. The challenge, she argues, lies in navigating this diverse regulatory landscape and addressing varying consumer expectations across countries. “We need communication strategies that resonate with the specific needs of each region,” she advises.
Aman Gupta, Managing Partner of SPAG FINN Partners, shifts the conversation to India, discussing the country’s growing role in the global sustainability movement. As the world’s most populous nation, India faces both significant challenges and opportunities in addressing climate change. “India is at the heart of the global climate conversation,” Gupta says, noting that the country’s actions will have a significant impact on global efforts to combat climate change.
India’s economic growth, driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, presents a unique challenge. “Nearly 2 billion people in the region have been affected by extreme heat in recent months,” Gupta points out, citing the widespread impacts on health, food security, and economic stability.
Despite these challenges, Gupta emphasizes that India’s government is committed to pursuing sustainable development. “The government recognizes that long-term growth can only be achieved through sustainability,” he states. Gupta highlights that global companies operating in India must align their strategies with the country’s environmental goals and regulations. “India is not just a market for these companies—it’s a key player in the global effort to address climate change.”
Innovation and Accountability in Sustainability
A key theme in the discussion is the role of innovation in driving sustainability efforts. All the panelists agree that technology and new ideas are critical to tackling the climate crisis, but they stress that innovation must be coupled with accountability.
Bloore points to Europe’s leadership in creating regulatory frameworks that force businesses to adopt sustainable practices. “Innovation is essential, but it needs to be backed by policies that ensure accountability,” she argues. For businesses, this means moving beyond voluntary commitments and embracing mandatory standards that guarantee real progress.
Ross echoes this sentiment, stressing that businesses must be held accountable by more than just governments. “Consumers are demanding transparency and action,” she explains. Companies need to be open about their sustainability efforts and demonstrate measurable progress. “This is about more than just compliance—it’s about ensuring the future viability of the planet,” she states.
The Role of Global Companies
Throughout the session, the panelists emphasize that global companies have a unique responsibility in driving change. Bashe notes that large multinational corporations have the resources, influence, and reach to lead in sustainability efforts. “The private sector is indispensable in this fight,” he says. “Companies need to see themselves as leaders in sustainability, not just participants.”
Gupta builds on this point, discussing how multinational companies can drive sustainability efforts in regions like India. “They have the opportunity to lead by example,” he says. Gupta explains that these companies must work closely with local communities and governments to ensure their sustainability initiatives are impactful and relevant. “It’s about building partnerships that foster real change,” he emphasizes.
A Call to Action for Business Leaders
As the session draws to a close, the panelists collectively call on business leaders to take a more active role in the fight against climate change. The message is clear: sustainability must be integrated into the core of business strategy, not treated as an afterthought or a compliance issue.
Bashe concludes the discussion by reminding attendees of the stakes. “We are fighting for the future of humanity, and businesses have a crucial role to play in that fight,” he asserts. Protecting the environment is not just an ethical responsibility; it is a practical necessity for long-term business success.
Ross echoes this call to action, urging business leaders to embrace sustainability as a competitive advantage. “This is not just about mitigating risks—it’s about seizing opportunities to lead,” she says. By committing to sustainability, businesses can not only contribute to solving the climate crisis but also secure their own long-term viability.
Leadership for a Sustainable Future
The future of our planet hinges on the actions we take today, and the urgency is clear. As Gil Bashe highlights, we are in an "age of urgency," with record-breaking wildfires, floods, and rising global temperatures. Despite investments in clean energy and sustainability, the pace of change is not fast enough. Bashe’s call to action is clear: businesses, governments, and communities must align around sustainable practices and accelerate efforts to meet critical climate goals. The stakes have never been higher, and the time to act is now.
Aman Gupta stresses that the climate crisis is a global issue, with regions like India at the heart of the challenge. He emphasizes that multinational companies must not only comply with local regulations but also take a leadership role in sustainability, engaging with local governments and communities to ensure their initiatives are impactful. Jessica Berk Ross adds that the language of the conversation has shifted from "climate change" to "climate crisis," underscoring the gravity of the situation. She stresses that businesses must integrate sustainability into their core strategies, as it is no longer a separate initiative but a key driver of long-term success.
Terri Bloore points out that in Europe, regulation is driving businesses toward greater sustainability and accountability. However, she emphasizes that innovation without accountability is not enough. Businesses must demonstrate transparency and take real, measurable action toward sustainability goals. Together, Bashe, Gupta, Ross, and Bloore send a powerful message: bold leadership, collaboration, and accountability are essential to addressing the climate crisis. The future is in our hands, and it demands immediate and unified action across all sectors.
