New Books Network Peter McAteer, "Leading the Sustainable Organization: The Quest for Ethical Brands and a Culture of Sustainable Innovation" (Anthem Press, 2025)
Nov 2, 2025
Peter McAteer, an expert in corporate sustainability and author, discusses his journey from business to the UN and Harvard. He explores how companies can frame strategies within new environmental boundaries and use sustainability as a competitive advantage. McAteer addresses the challenges legacy firms face in transitioning to sustainable models and responds to the backlash against ESG. He emphasizes the critical role of public policy and corporate ethics while advocating for innovative solutions in energy, food systems, and developing markets to drive meaningful change.
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Boundary Conditions Focus Strategy
- McAteer frames sustainability with "boundary conditions" to help leaders prioritize what to track and when to act.
- He urges organizations to map stable versus variable factors so strategy responds to real risks, not noise.
Make Sustainability A Strategic Edge
- Use sustainability as a competitive advantage by redesigning products and supply chains, not merely by complying with rules.
- Partner with policy-driven markets and capture new value (e.g., recycled denim, inverters, recycled concrete).
Legacy Firms Struggle To Transition
- Legacy firms face harder transitions because they must manage factories, unions, and long-lived assets while shifting product portfolios.
- McAteer notes firms often sell off problem units, which improves appearances but fails systemic progress.
