Sustainability as a topic has been around for decades. It might have started as a ‘nice to have’ for companies, but through the years, it has become a ‘license to operate.’ Customers want more sustainable products, people want to work for companies that have a focus on sustainability, and investors are increasingly interested in the sustainability efforts of companies. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues have gained more prominence among regulators, investors, board members, and other stakeholders. However, when it comes to sustainability there is no fast track or short cut. It is a long journey with challenges and difficult decisions. These are five important learnings from AkzoNobel’s journey to become an industry frontrunner in sustainability: