Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a panel discussion bringing together sustainability and communications professionals to explore the evolving landscape of sustainable finance. With regulations shifting, political dynamics changing, and stakeholder expectations evolving, now is the time to unpack the complexities professionals in our industry face.
Our expert panel featured:
A key theme of the discussion was the disconnect between rhetoric and reality in sustainable finance. As Robbie highlighted, we are operating in a challenging environment for sustainable finance messaging, yet beneath the surface, pragmatism is driving progress.
One of the biggest challenges is viewing sustainability as an isolated function rather than integrating it into finance – and indeed other parts of the business. Robbie emphasised, “We need to ensure sustainability remains relevant and central to finance, rather than treating it as a standalone concept.”
And what’s more, sustainability comms needs to be backed by demonstrable proof that the work is being done behind the scenes. Your stakeholders need to see the follow-through that only comes from truly integrated sustainability commitments.
Despite a need for integration on the whole, the panel discussion highlighted the need for specialised sustainability talent where necessary.
“For now, at least, sustainability is a very specialist discipline. It requires a different mindset in terms of organisational engagement,” explained Robbie.
A corporate affairs director, for example, shouldn’t necessarily look to take on the sustainability burden to demonstrate action. Instead, it should be a specialised function within an aligned team.
A major takeaway was the importance of crafting a consistent and credible sustainability narrative. In what we referred to as “the new Trumpian world,” the panel advocated for consistency over reactivity.
Cat specifically spoke about the need for a long-term strategy in the face of many, many regulatory changes. “You can’t turn on the news without seeing another announcement from Trump, whether it’s tariffs, regulation, or new measures coming in.”
The Trump administration has brought about many regulatory changes, but that doesn’t mean organisations should look to backtrack on their sustainability strategies.
“What doesn’t work is flip-flopping,” Robbie explained, noting that organisations can evolve their messaging “as long as they communicate the rationale to stakeholders and avoid short-termism.”
Nick added that businesses must adapt to the rapid shifts in ESG priorities: “The focus has moved from the ‘E’ to the ‘S’ and ‘G’ very quickly. Companies need to understand where their stakeholders stand in this evolving debate.”
Despite these political shifts, Cat reminded us that regulatory frameworks continue to drive progress: “We still have targets to meet. We need to be net zero by 2050 and aligned with the Paris Agreement.” She pointed to upcoming Sustainability Reporting Standards and the UK Taxonomy as clear indicators that “the direction of travel remains unchanged.”
Reflecting on the pandemic’s impact on sustainable investing, Cat noted, “The businesses that had positioned themselves well in advance were the ones that thrived.”
The lesson for financial organisations? It’s important to prepare for long-term trends rather than reacting to short-term market fluctuations.
When asked about balancing transparency with risk mitigation, Robbie was clear: “Transparency itself is a risk mitigation strategy.” He explained that openly communicating challenges helps build trust with stakeholders.
This is especially critical for global organisations like Standard Chartered, which operates across markets with diverse sustainability priorities. “In some regions, sustainability is about access to water and energy rather than the green agenda we focus on in the UK,” he noted.
Discussing crisis communications, Robbie highlighted how cultural differences impact risk perception and response. “Media sensitivity and issue prominence vary greatly by market,” he observed.
Cat shared how SEC Newgate uses AI-powered crisis simulations to test responses under pressure: “Theory is great, but real-time scenarios reveal the true gaps in preparation.”
Nick stressed the importance of alignment between corporate reporting and communications teams, advocating for “a shared lexicon and disciplined, neutral messaging.”
On whether sustainability communications professionals should take on compliance roles, Cat was clear: “These functions should remain distinct but collaborative. Creativity in communications can be stifled by a compliance-first approach.”
Similarly, Robbie pushed back on the idea of corporate affairs directors leading sustainability: “Sustainability is a specialist discipline requiring a different organisational mindset.”
The panel also explored the role of social media in sustainable finance communications. Cat highlighted LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) as key platforms for stakeholder engagement, describing “micro-dialoguing” as an effective strategy for targeting specific audiences.
Nick added that social media is more than just a communications tool — it’s “an early warning system” for identifying emerging trends and sentiment shifts.
Closing the discussion, an audience member asked: Should sustainability professionals be leading rather than merely navigating?
Robbie’s response was definitive: “Yes, we should. And science and facts must underpin our approach. Businesses need to go beyond regulatory compliance and engage proactively with their clients and sectors.”
As the event wrapped up, it became clear that sustainable finance communications in 2025 will require balancing consistency with adaptability, transparency with strategic messaging, and specialist expertise with integrated thinking.
A huge thank you to our expert panel and attendees for their valuable insights. Sustainable finance communications is an evolving challenge, but with thoughtful approaches like those shared in this discussion, businesses can navigate it more effectively.
This event is part of Hanson Search’s ongoing commitment to bringing together industry leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges facing communications professionals today.
If you’re interested in continuing the discussion around sustainable finance or would like to know how Hanson Search can support you, get in touch.
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