Effective and just policies and multi-stakeholder partnerships can underpin a sound governance structure. This suggests a need for an effective approach to incorporate and operationalize local sustainability, more consistently across all SDGs. There is an important role for institutions, policies, and strategic partnerships in shaping this approach, which highlights the importance of transdisciplinary efforts that can incorporate different views and perspectives and connect various stakeholder groups through effective partnerships. This also involves aligning on shared long-term values, identifying overlapping objectives, and collaborating on solutions that address both priorities while maintaining mutual respect and balance.

Working with a partner who has a totally different approach to sustainability can feel a bit like speaking two different love languages. We're currently collaborating with a client whose sustainability goals are super ambitious, but they track their progress with different KPIs than we do. It’s like we’re both cooking the same dish but using different recipes! In situations like this, it's all about finding common ingredients. What KPIs can we both agree on? Which ones can we let go of? The goal is to zero in on the metrics that matter to both of us and really drive the big picture forward. By syncing up on what success looks like, we can make sure we’re both adding value and moving towards our sustainability targets together.

In this kind of situation I think it is important to discuss a global initiative to engage which may help both partner to accelerate its path to get there. For example UN Global Compact is a got start as it helps to heve clarity as well support to learn and engage.

To navigate differing sustainability goals, focus on collaboration through strategic compromises. Develop a unified sustainability roadmap incorporating elements of both parties’ priorities, ensuring mutual benefits. For example, implementing circular economy practices can be paired with initiatives addressing individual goals like energy efficiency or waste reduction. Begin with incremental, achievable projects to demonstrate the value of working together and build momentum and trust for larger, more ambitious initiatives. This collaborative approach fosters alignment while respecting each partner’s unique objectives.

To address the conflict of different sustainability objectives within a partnership, the concept of a ‘positive relationship’ should be considered. Firstly, you should dwell on core values and make sure that each partner is clear on motives and concerns. This will assist in finding out areas of mutual concord. Establish objectives of sustainability that are reciprocal, or objectives that are attainable targets or goals between the two organizations. Top management should be willing to some extent to incorporate different sustainable practices from the different parts into one sustainable strategy.

Aligning on shared values and seeking common ground in sustainability goals fosters collaboration, while innovative solutions can bridge gaps, creating strategies that benefit both partners and the environment.

Find Common Ground: Identify shared values or overlapping objectives that can serve as a foundation. Learn and Adapt: Understand the perspective. Sometimes, differing approaches can reveal blind spots or opportunities for growth. Communicate Transparently: Open, honest conversations ensure alignment on the big picture, even if the paths differ. Co-create Solutions: Jointly develop strategies that balance priorities while respecting each other's ambitions. Divergence can be a strength—it drives creativity, resilience, and impact. After all, the ultimate goal is shared: a sustainable, thriving future.

Different may mean he is ahead or behind. If ahead, we have here the opportunity to learn and assess, so we can agree and adopt, or suggest, adapt and adopt. If behind, we shall first double check for value on what we are doing, and, as identified, understand why it is not been done by the partner. We must consider its culture, business circumstance and priorities when doing it. Also, he may be doing another sustainability compound which may surpass our intent to request.