Force for Good Forecast 2025: A Scorecard — Reflections on What We Got Right and Key Lessons Learned
Force for Good Forecast 2025 Scorecard
Earlier this year, we released our yearly Force for Good Forecast for 2025. Our forecast is our assessment of the top ten environmental and social trends we predict that may shape engagement between corporations and advocacy stakeholders. As the year draws to a close, we've taken the opportunity to evaluate ourselves, assessing how accurately we anticipated each issue, highlighting where we succeeded, and acknowledging where we missed the mark.
This reflection provides valuable lessons for the year ahead, emphasizing what worked well, what challenges remain, and how organizations can better position themselves to be a positive force in 2026 and beyond. Here’s a detailed look at each of the ten critical issues we monitored, along with our assessments and insights.
1. "Trump Bump" in Environmental Philanthropy & Activism
Our rating: Grade D
We anticipated increased NGO and investor conflict, but many organizations adopted a cautious, defensive stance amid funding constraints, rather than aggressive activism. While activism did tick upward, much of the activity remained at a nascent stage—early in a hypothetical incubation period. Moving forward, companies should clarify their core values internally and identify areas where they can proactively lead on sustainability, even within a challenging stakeholder landscape.
2. Companies & Advocates Lawyer Up
Our rating: Grade A-
We correctly predicted a surge in ESG-related litigation, including strategic lawsuits and legal actions by states and NGOs. We noted that both companies and NGOs are increasingly leveraging legal strategies, and this trend has continued strongly in 2025. Although initially expecting more lawsuits targeting the Trump administration, much of the litigation has focused on broader ESG disputes, with the legal landscape ramping up significantly—impacting companies across sectors.
3. Nature Knows No Boundaries
Our rating: Grade B
We foresaw growing corporate focus on nature and biodiversity, mostly behind the scenes, with some notable initiatives like TNFD adoption and Indigenous partnerships. While momentum has been slower than anticipated to reach mainstream attention, ongoing corporate investments, investor engagement, and COP30 discussions indicate that nature-based solutions remain a vital, albeit evolving, part of sustainability strategies.
4. Greenhushing or ESG Retreat?
Our rating: Grade A+
Greenhushing has materialized as a notable trend—companies and NGOs are downplaying or delaying disclosures amid anti-ESG campaigns and regulatory uncertainty. Our prediction of rising internal communication challenges and potential slowing of collective action has proven accurate. This trend will continue to influence corporate transparency and stakeholder trust moving into 2026.
5. Disclosures on Hold but Not Out
Our rating: Grade A+
Despite regulatory headwinds and shifting laws, companies have continued their transparency efforts, especially in Europe and California. Our expectation that disclosures would remain a priority was validated, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement with regulators and investors to build trust amid evolving requirements.
6. Can we agree on Methane? Transparency on Methane Emission
Our rating: Grade A
We accurately predicted increased focus on methane reduction, backed by advancements in measurement technology, regulatory efforts, and corporate commitments. Initiatives like Bloomberg’s $100M methane fund and new monitoring tools reflect a global consensus on the importance of addressing this potent greenhouse gas, indicating that methane will remain a key climate leverage.
7. Critical Minerals at a Stoplight
Our rating: Grade A-
We anticipated rising geopolitical conflicts over critical mineral supply chains, and this has materialized, especially in regions like the DRC and indigenous lands. While conflicts are largely place-based, they highlight the need for companies to engage communities thoughtfully. We missed a broader discussion on sustainable and ethical mining concerns, focusing more on geopolitics and traditional conflicts.
8. New Currents in the Electric Grid
Our rating: Grade A-
The energy transition continues, with increased emphasis on renewable power, energy efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. Our prediction about the growth of green power adoption and the importance of managing trade-offs has held true, though some challenges around affordability and demand remain. Innovation and strategic partnerships will be crucial in the near term.
9. Solvents & Chemical Regulation
Our rating: Grade C
Progress in chemical regulation, especially around green solvents, has been slower than we expected. Industry efforts like Change Chemistry are promising but face regulatory and tariff-related delays. We underestimated how slow policy changes would be, given their non-partisan nature and limited public visibility.
10. Plastics Advocacy at the Crossroads
Our rating: Grade A
The plastics policy landscape remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations and stakeholder tensions. Our prediction that engagement and collaboration are essential proved accurate, emphasizing the need for companies to stay involved in plastics negotiations and advocate for comprehensive solutions.
Final Takeaways:
2025 has been a year marked by cautious progress, rising legal and geopolitical risks, and evolving stakeholder expectations. The overarching lesson is that transparency, proactive engagement, and a clear articulation of core values will be critical to navigating the complex sustainability landscape. Companies that can balance strategic communication with genuine action will be best positioned to lead in the years ahead. As the global conversation around nature, climate, and equity intensifies, staying adaptable and engaged remains essential.
