But the private sector is stepping up, with many of the leaders at our dinner giving examples of how sustainability initiatives not only protect but grow their businesses. As one attendee said: “Regulations move the laggards, not the leaders.” (The table conversation was under Chatham House rules.)
For Harmening, the key is focus: He reduced the number of company-wide initiatives from 70 to 10 when he became CEO, doubling down on three that are core to the business: regenerative agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recycling. “This is part of our strategy for how we win,” he said. “We don’t sell Cheerios in the morning and then think about sustainability in the afternoon.”
