Analysis of dead horse theory applied to sustainability

Sustainability and the Dead Horse Theory: Knowing When to Let Go

There’s an old saying: “When you discover you’re riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.” Yet in corporate sustainability, we often see organizations doing the opposite—doubling down on outdated strategies instead of embracing transformative change.

Think of legacy sustainability initiatives that were once groundbreaking but now fail to deliver impact. Companies may keep them alive because of sunk costs, internal resistance, or the comfort of familiarity. But sustainability challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequities—require bold, innovative solutions, not just incremental tweaks to failing strategies.

So, how do we recognize and dismount from a “dead horse” in sustainability?

Measure real impact – Are your initiatives driving tangible results, or just ticking ESG checkboxes?

Embrace change – Sustainability is evolving; what worked a decade ago may no longer be effective.

Invest in regeneration – Shift from minimizing harm to actively restoring and creating value.

Empower sustainability leaders – Ensure they have the autonomy to challenge ineffective approaches and introduce better ones.

True sustainability leadership means knowing when to pivot, even when it’s uncomfortable. Are there any "dead horses" in corporate sustainability that need to be reconsidered? 

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