Corporate leaders in the United States are pressing forward with climate strategies, but many are increasingly reluctant to speak openly about their progress, according to sustainability experts. The phenomenon, often referred to as “climate hushing” or “greenhushing,” reflects a growing trend of companies choosing to downplay or conceal their work on climate change to avoid political and reputational risks.

Fear of Becoming a Target

Mindy Lubber, CEO of environmental nonprofit Ceres, addressed the issue during a panel discussion at New York City’s Climate Week. She explained that many firms that once championed ambitious sustainability goals remain committed to implementation but are far more cautious in their communications.

“They still know they have to act, but they just don’t want to talk about it,” Lubber said, noting that companies fear “a target on [their] back” in the current political climate. The reluctance stems from concerns over backlash, lawsuits, or regulatory retaliation, particularly as climate-related terms like “ESG” and “sustainability” become flashpoints in U.S. political debates.

Read more: Corporate Leaders Debate ESG, Reputation, and Results at Axios House

Political Headwinds

In recent years, several Republican-led states and lawmakers have intensified scrutiny of financial institutions and corporations that participate in climate initiatives. Banks including Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo, once active members of the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance have been the subject of multiple investigations led by state attorneys general and agricultural officials. Similarly, U.S. members of Climate Action 100+, one of the world’s largest investor coalitions, have faced inquiries from House Republicans over their use of ESG considerations in investment decisions. These investigations, combined with heightened political rhetoric, have contributed to a climate of caution that is reshaping how companies frame their sustainability strategies.

Greenhushing and Its Consequences

The retreat from public communication does not necessarily indicate a slowdown in action. Many companies continue to make progress on emissions reductions and other environmental goals, even as they refrain from publicly reporting or promoting them. This shift, however, raises concerns about transparency and accountability in a sector where public commitments have often been used as benchmarks to track corporate performance.

Lubber argued that silence carries its own risks, undermining momentum at a time when urgent action is needed. “The common knowledge is, ‘I don’t want a target on my back.’ That’s the problem,” she said. The hesitancy to disclose climate efforts, she added, could erode trust among stakeholders and stall collective progress toward climate goals.

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A Landscape of Uncertainty

Experts point to the broader political environment as a central driver of this cautious approach. With former President Donald Trump back in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both chambers of Congress, the rollback of environmental regulations and heightened scrutiny of ESG practices has created an atmosphere of uncertainty. For many U.S. companies, the calculation now involves balancing the need to advance long-term sustainability strategies with the risk of political or legal consequences for publicizing them. While the private work of decarbonization continues, the muted public discourse illustrates how political pressures are reshaping the contours of corporate climate action.

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