Opinion: Going green in a grey world

An interview with Hidde Verschuren, Concept Developer at Conceptional

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As an employee with a strong intrinsic motivation for sustainability, I sometimes face challenges to stay motivated. Recent developments regarding sustainability can sometimes be discouraging, especially when political and societal steps seem to undermine progress. In this blog, I share my personal experiences, why these developments affect me, and offer advice to others who want to continue to accelerate the sustainability transition.

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A Personal Journey

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Every day, I work with a lot of positivity, hope, and enthusiasm towards sustainability. However, I notice that lately, I am becoming increasingly cynical and sometimes even lose hope. This is because the space for green initiatives, which seemed to be growing a few years ago, is now under pressure due to political and societal changes. How can we tackle these challenges, and how can I contribute to a solution?

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Recently, there have been many developments that impact me. In January 2025, the United States withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement again, causing global concerns about the future of international climate efforts. Subsequently, President Trump reversed 31 important environmental measures in March this year. Meanwhile, Milieudefensie in the Netherlands warns that the European Commission may be trying to weaken important climate laws. And then there are, of course, the increasingly visible effects of climate change on nature.

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I believe that real change does not come from the consumer but from organisations and the government. Therefore, it is also important that there are (young) people who are at least aware of the impact they make as a company in their work.

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What I try to do to stay motivated

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With this headwind, it can be difficult to stay motivated. The feeling that your efforts may not be enough can be overwhelming. However, I try to remind myself that every small step counts and that your efforts make a difference.

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Here are 5 tips I try to follow:

1. Find like-minded people: Surround yourself with people who share the same passion for sustainability. I find this at work, but especially on LinkedIn, where I follow many people who share predominantly positive news about the sustainability transition daily.
2. Stay informed: Keep yourself updated on positive developments and successes in sustainability. This helps to get a balanced view and maintain hope.
3. Focus on small wins: Celebrate the small successes and progress. Every step forward is valuable and contributes to the bigger picture.
4. Accept resistance: You don't have to convince everyone; change takes time, and everyone does it at their own pace. I try to set a good example myself and continue to inspire others in my work.
5. Focus on yourself: Allow yourself to make mistakes and not always set a good example. Don't be too concerned about possible judgment from others if you fly or eat meat once in a while.

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Author: Hidde Verschuren