LIFESTYLE
However, in the same year, Russia’ s invasion of Ukraine saw this optimism dwindle, as many sustainable strategies were reversed following a sudden spike in energy prices and renewed dependence on the fossil fuels sector. Three years on, the return of US President Donald Trump – who last September called climate change“ the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” – has only created more animosity toward climate change investment and further politicised ESG policies. While things seem uncertain, countries like China are investing regardless. China, a green energy behemoth, has rapidly accelerated the installation of renewables and has subsequently set a hard emissionsreduction target of at least 7-10 % below peak levels by 2035. The climate policy landscape is uncertain, complex, but not predetermined.
Saudi Arabia’ s Vision 2030 reform plan Sovereign wealth funds from places like Norway, Abu Dhabi and China are proving to be quiet reshapers of global sustainable investment, not only through ESG commitments, but through large-scale capital deployment into infrastructure, healthcare, AI and climate transition tech. These funds sit within a global sovereign wealth pool worth more than US $ 13tn. Additionally, many independent and private companies are looking to get a piece of the sustainable investment pie, regardless of investor anxiety or ESG politics.
68 November 2026