Introduction to Sustainability in Business

Today, sustainability isn’t simply about saving the planet; it’s something we understand as a driver of long-term business success. The drive to reduce our environmental and waste footprint is reshaping the products businesses sell and the processes used to create them. It also impacts the way businesses interact with customers, pick partners and suppliers, and engage with new business models, including circular and low-carbon economies.

Common Mistakes in Sustainability

But the transition to a cleaner, greener business isn’t always smooth, and in my work, I notice that a number of common mistakes frequently precede failure or even disaster. So, let’s run through five of the most common missteps and misjudgments that often lead to wasted time, resources or even reputational damage.

1. Failing To Make Sustainability A Core Element Of Strategy

This requires a change of mindset, from thinking of sustainability as a cost burden to understanding it as a driver of success. Rather than a box-ticking exercise, sustainability can unlock efficiencies, open up new markets and build organizational resilience. For example, by making a commitment to adopting circular principles and developing new processes for recycling the fibreboard used in its furniture, Ikea can reduce material costs across its operations and lower its carbon footprint. And Amazon’s push to electrify its fleet of delivery vehicles significantly reduces its large fuel bills. With large investors increasingly looking for ESG commitments from businesses they fund and skilled professionals keen to work for responsible companies, there are many reasons sustainability should be a strategic priority today.

2. Greenwashing

In 2025, greenwashing—the practice of claiming green credentials for kudos rather than making genuine change—is under intense scrutiny. An example is fossil fuel businesses that promote sustainability while continuing to extract non-renewable resources. However, as businesses have become aware of the increasing demand for green products and services, this activity has become common across industries. Consumers can often quickly see through empty claims and promises. Vehicle manufacturers were hit with huge fines and even bigger damage to their reputation for faking emissions tests while claiming to be lowering emissions. And Coca-Cola was similarly accused after being named the world’s worst plastics polluter while claiming to have improved the eco-friendliness of its products.

3. Overlooking Sustainability Along The Supply Chain

Businesses can spend millions on ensuring they have clean power, energy-efficient operations and flawless green credentials. But if their suppliers are polluting rivers, exploiting natural resources or contributing to deforestation, they have an ethical responsibility, too. In 2025, ensuring that sustainable practices are in place along your entire supply chain means ensuring you know how products are made, what materials are used, and what steps are taken by suppliers to minimize their own environmental footprint. Often overlooked, this is becoming increasingly regulated through legislation like the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Businesses can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the low standards or bad practices of their suppliers and partners without risking penalties, bad publicity and loss of consumer trust.

4. Failing To Effectively Use ESG Data

Many companies I encounter can be described as “data rich, insight poor.” Three decades into the internet age, many understand the importance of measuring, capturing and collecting digital data but lack the tools and expertise to know what it all means and, most pressingly, what they should do. It’s a big problem when sustainability initiatives can’t be measured, benchmarked and verified. With a lack of reliable insights, it’s very hard for companies to set meaningful targets and understand their progress towards meeting them. Today, failing to understand data means missing opportunities to drive growth while also improving the world, and that’s a serious mistake.

5. Taking Your Eye Off The Ball

It’s unfortunate but not entirely surprising, but there are reports that ESG is sliding down the list of business priorities. During turbulent economic and political times, the focus tends to shift to economic issues such as reducing the impact of inflation or supply chain disruption. This is almost certainly a mistake because the underlying issues driving the adoption of sustainable business—climate change, natural resource depletion, waste and pollution—aren’t going to vanish just because we decide there are higher priorities. Failing to adopt sustainable practices today could lead to serious challenges in the future, especially as non-renewable resources grow scarcer and political, environmental, and demographic disruptions intensify, as many predict will happen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making critical sustainability mistakes can damage both a business’s reputation and its bottom line. By understanding and avoiding these common missteps, businesses can unlock the full potential of sustainability and drive long-term success. It is essential for companies to prioritize sustainability, avoid greenwashing, ensure sustainable practices along their supply chain, effectively use ESG data, and maintain focus on sustainability even during turbulent times.

FAQs

Q: Why is sustainability important for businesses?
A: Sustainability is important for businesses because it can unlock efficiencies, open up new markets, and build organizational resilience, ultimately driving long-term success.
Q: What is greenwashing, and why is it a problem?
A: Greenwashing is the practice of claiming green credentials for kudos rather than making genuine change. It is a problem because consumers can quickly see through empty claims and promises, leading to reputational damage and loss of trust.
Q: Why is it essential to ensure sustainable practices along the supply chain?
A: Ensuring sustainable practices along the supply chain is essential because businesses have an ethical responsibility to ensure that their suppliers are not polluting, exploiting natural resources, or contributing to deforestation.
Q: How can businesses effectively use ESG data?
A: Businesses can effectively use ESG data by measuring, capturing, and collecting digital data, and using tools and expertise to understand what it means and what they should do.
Q: Why should businesses maintain focus on sustainability even during turbulent times?
A: Businesses should maintain focus on sustainability even during turbulent times because the underlying issues driving the adoption of sustainable business—climate change, natural resource depletion, waste and pollution—aren’t going to vanish just because there are higher priorities.

Technology for social change has revolutionized the way we live, interact, and access information. Leveraging technology to promote human rights and social justice has become a crucial aspect of modern activism. As we navigate the complexities of the online world, it’s essential to understand the importance of digital rights and their impact on our daily lives.

Understanding Digital Rights

Digital rights refer to the human rights that apply in the online sphere, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information. These rights are essential for promoting democracy, social justice, and human dignity in the digital age. The internet has become an indispensable tool for communication, education, and economic empowerment, making it vital to protect digital rights.

Freedom of Expression Online

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that is essential for democracy and social progress. Online, this right is exercised through social media, blogs, and other digital platforms. However, censorship, surveillance, and online harassment can limit this freedom, making it challenging for individuals to express themselves without fear of reprisal.

Right to Privacy

The right to privacy is another crucial digital right that is often threatened in the online world. Data breaches, online tracking, and surveillance can compromise individuals’ personal information, making them vulnerable to identity theft, cyberstalking, and other forms of exploitation. Protecting online privacy is essential for maintaining trust in digital technologies and promoting a safe online environment.

Access to Information

Access to information is a fundamental human right that is essential for education, research, and informed decision-making. The internet has democratized access to information, enabling individuals to access vast amounts of knowledge and connect with others across the globe. However, internet shutdowns, censorship, and digital divides can limit access to information, exacerbating social and economic inequalities.

Challenges to Digital Rights

Despite the importance of digital rights, numerous challenges threaten their implementation and protection. These challenges include:

Censorship and Surveillance

Censorship and surveillance are significant challenges to digital rights, as they can limit freedom of expression and compromise online privacy. Governments, corporations, and other powerful actors often use censorship and surveillance to control online narratives, suppress dissent, and maintain power.

Online Harassment and Hate Speech

Online harassment and hate speech are pervasive problems that can limit individuals’ ability to express themselves online. Women, minorities, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by online harassment, which can lead to psychological trauma, social isolation, and decreased participation in online spaces.

Digital Divides

Digital divides refer to the disparities in access to digital technologies, including the internet, computers, and mobile devices. These divides can exacerbate social and economic inequalities, limiting access to information, education, and economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

Defending Digital Rights

Defending digital rights requires a multifaceted approach that involves governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals. Some strategies for defending digital rights include:

Advocacy and Activism

Advocacy and activism are essential for promoting digital rights and holding powerful actors accountable. Organizations and individuals can use online and offline tactics, such as petitions, protests, and social media campaigns, to raise awareness about digital rights issues and push for policy changes.

Education and Digital Literacy

Education and digital literacy are critical for promoting digital rights and empowering individuals to navigate the online world safely and effectively. Governments, corporations, and civil society organizations can provide digital literacy training, online safety guides, and other resources to help individuals protect their digital rights.

Policy and Legislation

Policy and legislation are essential for protecting digital rights and promoting a safe online environment. Governments can enact laws and regulations that safeguard online freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, while corporations can develop policies that respect digital rights and promote transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital rights are essential for promoting human rights, social justice, and democracy in the online age. Understanding digital rights, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information, is crucial for navigating the complexities of the online world. Defending digital rights requires a multifaceted approach that involves advocacy, education, policy, and legislation. By working together, we can promote a safe, inclusive, and equitable online environment that respects human rights and promotes social change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are digital rights?

Digital rights refer to the human rights that apply in the online sphere, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

Why are digital rights important?

Digital rights are essential for promoting democracy, social justice, and human dignity in the digital age. They enable individuals to express themselves, access information, and participate in online spaces safely and effectively.

How can I protect my digital rights?

You can protect your digital rights by using encryption, being cautious when sharing personal information online, and using strong passwords. You can also support organizations that advocate for digital rights and participate in online campaigns that promote digital rights.

What can governments do to promote digital rights?

Governments can enact laws and regulations that safeguard online freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information. They can also provide digital literacy training and resources to help individuals protect their digital rights.

What is the role of corporations in promoting digital rights?

Corporations can develop policies that respect digital rights and promote transparency and accountability. They can also provide resources and tools to help individuals protect their digital rights and navigate the online world safely.

Introduction to the US-China Tech Dispute

The Trump administration’s decision to ban Nvidia’s high-performance H20 AI chips from export to China has significant implications for the global competition in AI technology. This move has not only disrupted China’s access to critical semiconductor technology but also accelerated the country’s push toward self-sufficiency in AI hardware and software ecosystems.

The Impact of the H20 Chip Ban

When the Trump administration abruptly banned Nvidia’s high-performance H20 AI chips from export to China on April 15, it confirmed fears long held by the Chinese AI industry — that further tightening of chip bans was imminent. While the industry had largely anticipated more stringent measures amid a rapidly escalating U.S.-China tariff war, the specific timing of the H20 ban caught many companies slightly off guard, accelerating their need to rapidly adapt. This latest measure highlights the intensifying geopolitical stakes in the global competition for AI dominance, exacerbating China’s existing vulnerability in securing advanced AI hardware.

China’s Reliance on Foreign Semiconductor Technology

In 2024 alone, China imported a staggering $385 billion worth of semiconductor chips, marking a 10.4% increase from 2023. With Nvidia’s H20 now off-limits, China’s heavy reliance on critical foreign semiconductor technology has never been more stark. However, beneath the immediate disruption lies a story of strategic foresight. Anticipating continuous geopolitical pressures, Chinese tech firms have spent recent years actively "trade war-proofing" their operations.

Strategic Foresight and Adaptation

This proactive approach has resulted in a bifurcation of the industry into two distinct camps: those focused on infrastructure and those prioritizing applications. Heavyweights such as Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent exemplify the infrastructure-centric response, embarking on aggressive domestic AI hardware investments. Baidu CEO Robin Li, responding to previous U.S. sanctions, had already earmarked a significant portion of a $1.6 billion fund toward building robust AI and cloud infrastructure, including a substantial 10,000-GPU cluster powered by Baidu’s third-generation Kunlun chip.

Diversification and Partnerships

Yet infrastructure development alone won’t immediately resolve all challenges posed by chip shortages. Recognizing this, Chinese AI firms have increasingly turned to strategic diversification, looking toward partnerships beyond traditional American suppliers. European and Asian chipmakers have emerged as crucial alternatives, enabling Chinese companies to partially buffer themselves from escalating U.S. restrictions. This diversification underscores a calculated effort to spread risk and ensure steady access to necessary components.

The Open-Source vs. Closed-Source Debate

Beyond hardware, the industry is confronting a critical strategic divide between open-source and closed-source models for AI deployment. ByteDance, for example, has adopted a notably closed-source approach despite massive user engagement. Its CapCut app generates over 2 billion daily API calls through its embedded AI models. ByteDance’s approach mirrors OpenAI’s initial emphasis on internal optimization rather than broad-based developer ecosystem growth. Baidu initially echoed similar sentiments favoring closed systems for their superior performance and cost efficiency. However, the rising success of open-source competitors like DeepSeek has pressured Baidu into reconsidering.

Tencent’s Ecosystem-Centric Strategy

Tencent’s strategy, by contrast, is fundamentally ecosystem-centric. Recognizing early the advantages of an open-key approach, Tencent has deeply integrated AI across its diverse range of platforms, most prominently through WeChat, with its billion-plus users. Tencent’s early integration of DeepSeek’s large AI models significantly accelerated everyday AI interactions across China, making advanced technology familiar and intuitive to the average consumer. While costly, Tencent’s strategy has arguably created greater resilience against external supply shocks by embedding AI deeply into user behaviors and expectations.

Innovations and Workarounds

Innovations like Tencent’s Hunyuan 3D AI model also illustrate creative responses to geopolitical constraints. This model, allowing users to generate intricate 3D objects simply from text or images, cleverly addresses potential tariff issues by enabling domestic production. Such innovation has not only resonated domestically but also sparked interest abroad, including in the United States, where consumers face rising costs due to trade frictions.

The Emergence of Domestic Chip Manufacturing

One notable development in China’s semiconductor landscape is the emergence of SiCarrier, a Huawei-affiliated, Shenzhen-government-backed chip company. Established in 2021, SiCarrier gained attention in 2023 after securing a patent for producing 5-nanometer chips using deep ultraviolet lithography — a significant breakthrough given China’s restricted access to extreme ultraviolet lithography tools. This technology, involving self-aligned quadruple patterning, has been linked to Huawei’s 7nm chip found in the Mate 60 Pro. SiCarrier’s innovations aim to achieve advanced chip production capabilities without relying on EUV machines, potentially reducing manufacturing costs and circumventing export restrictions.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Trump administration’s H20 chip ban, though initially disruptive, is likely to reinforce a trend already in motion: accelerating China’s push toward self-sufficiency in AI hardware and software ecosystems. Rather than stifling competition, such restrictive measures might paradoxically foster greater innovation, adaptability, and global competitiveness among Chinese tech firms. In the increasingly complex landscape of global AI geopolitics, success belongs not merely to those with the strongest hardware, but to those most adept at navigating, adapting, and thriving amid uncertainty.

FAQs

• Q: What is the significance of the H20 chip ban by the US?
  • A: The ban on Nvidia’s H20 AI chips from export to China signifies a critical escalation in the US-China tech dispute, impacting China’s access to advanced AI hardware.
• Q: How are Chinese tech firms responding to the ban?
  • A: Chinese firms are responding through strategic diversification, investing in domestic AI hardware, and exploring partnerships with non-US suppliers to reduce reliance on American technology.
• Q: What is the debate between open-source and closed-source models in AI deployment?
  • A: The debate centers around whether AI models should be open-source, allowing community-driven development and innovation, or closed-source, emphasizing proprietary advantage and cost efficiency.
• Q: How is Tencent’s strategy different from others like ByteDance and Baidu?
  • A: Tencent’s strategy is ecosystem-centric, focusing on integrating AI across its platforms, especially WeChat, to create a resilient ecosystem against external supply shocks.
• Q: What role does SiCarrier play in China’s semiconductor landscape?
  • A: SiCarrier is a key player in developing domestic chip manufacturing capabilities, aiming to produce advanced chips without relying on restricted EUV machines, thus potentially reducing costs and circumventing export restrictions.