By Daniel Cope, climate change leader and director at Green Lark Environmental Solutions
The climate conversation in the UK is entering dangerous territory. For years, there was broad agreement across political parties that climate action was essential. That consensus is now cracking. Net zero targets are being questioned, climate legislation is under threat, and the debate is becoming a battleground for ideology rather than a platform for solutions. This polarisation is not just a political problem. It is a business risk. When climate policy becomes a pawn in party politics, investment confidence wavers, and businesses are left navigating uncertainty at the very moment when clarity is most needed.
If we keep turning sustainability into a political football, businesses will be the ones paying the price. So how do we keep doors open and influence outcomes without being dragged into partisan battles? For me, the answer lies in constructive engagement and a principle I call Positive Pestering.
Why I Choose Neutrality
For those who know me, I stay outwardly A political and that is deliberate. Neutrality allows me to have sincere conversations with leaders across the political spectrum. It keeps channels open and builds trust where others might hit a wall.
I’ll be honest, this approach has raised eyebrows before. Some environmentalists see it as passive, even a betrayal of the cause. I get that. Critique has its place and accountability matters. But my experience tells me influence grows when walls come down, not when lines are drawn. If the goal is progress, then the method must be engagement.
The Power of Positive Pestering
Positive Pestering is my term for a very deliberate approach: persistent, constructive engagement that starts by acknowledging progress before pushing for more. It is not about compromise or softening ambition. It is about creating momentum through respect and recognition.
I first applied this principle years ago while working with Citizens Climate Lobby in the United States. Memories of the marble halls in DC, holding briefing notes and hoping Senators would give us more than five minutes. One rule was drilled into us: always recognise a positive step a politician has taken for the environment, regardless of party. That simple act disarms defensiveness and opens the door to bigger conversations.
The same principle applies in business. When you start by recognising what is working, whether it is a company’s investment in renewables or a council’s support for local businesses, you create space for collaboration. Then you can introduce bolder ideas without triggering resistance. Positive Pestering is not weakness. It is a strategy for influence.
From the Right to the Left, Finding Common Ground
Recently, I spoke with a newly elected local authority leadership team that has been vocal about reducing regulatory burdens and prioritising local economic independence and sovereignty. We agreed on priorities that matter, economic resilience, supporting local businesses, and building sustainable strategies for competitive advantage. These are the principles I will therefore frame my approach. These are the same principles I work on daily with clients from SMEs to multinationals.
Keeping these conversations grounded in what works for businesses and communities is where real progress happens. It is not about political labels. It is about shared outcomes that strengthen local economies and prepare businesses for the future.
The Business Reality in 2025
Sustainability is not slowing down, even if the language around targets is shifting. The UK’s low-carbon economy continues to grow, contributing tens of billions to national value and supporting close to a million jobs. Investment in clean technologies and green infrastructure remains strong, and 2025 is set to build on that momentum. These trends show that sustainability is not a passing phase. It is a structural shift in how businesses operate, driven by customer expectations, investor confidence, and competitive advantage.
Themes like biodiversity, community benefit, and supply chain resilience are gaining prominence. Businesses are adapting, not abandoning sustainability. They are reframing their goals to reflect what matters most to customers and investors. This is important because political uncertainty creates risk, but it also creates opportunity for proactive businesses. Stable climate policy underpins investor confidence. Companies that engage constructively, grounded in shared goals, strengthen resilience and reputation.
Acknowledging Different Perspectives
I respect that some of my counterparts in sustainability take a more confrontational approach. Government accountability is essential. But influence often comes from collaboration, not protest. Positive Pestering is not weakness. It is pragmatic progress. It is about finding the levers that move decisions and using them effectively.
This approach does not mean ignoring shortcomings or avoiding hard conversations. It means starting from a position of respect and recognition, then building toward solutions that work for everyone involved. That is how you keep doors open and maintain influence when the political climate shifts.
Why Businesses Should Care
For business leaders, this is not (just) a philosophical debate. It is a practical strategy. Political swings can create uncertainty around regulation, incentives, and investment. Businesses that stay engaged and constructive are better positioned to anticipate changes and adapt quickly. They also build stronger relationships with local authorities, industry bodies, and policymakers, which can translate into real advantages when new opportunities arise.
Customers and investors increasingly expect businesses to demonstrate leadership on sustainability. That does not mean taking sides in political debates. It means showing commitment to long term goals and being part of the solution. Positive Pestering helps businesses do exactly that.
A Call to Action
Constructive engagement is a business strength, not a weakness. Celebrate progress wherever it appears, then invite the next step. Frame sustainability in terms businesses care about: competitiveness, resilience, and community benefit. These are the themes that resonate with decision makers and customers alike.
If councils or businesses you know are looking to embed sustainability in ways that deliver practical value, I would welcome the opportunity to contribute. Together, we can keep the conversation focused on what works and move beyond the distractions of political point scoring.
