Authored by Prof Fang Zhao – CEO of Strategy&Ops Consultancy
As we look ahead to 2026, one trend is becoming unmistakably clear: the world is entering a new phase of climate strategy—one driven not by top-down mandates, but by communities, grassroots energy, and bottom-up innovation.
While global momentum toward net-zero continues, we are also witnessing increasing hesitation, political pushback, and legislative delays. The outcomes of COP30 will likely reflect this complexity: high-level commitments remain important, yet their translation into real-world action increasingly depends on what happens outside government corridors.
This shift creates a profound strategic turning point.
- From Compliance to Community
For the past decade, sustainability efforts have centred heavily on compliance, reporting, and regulatory alignment. These remain essential, but in 2026 and beyond, the most powerful climate actions will emerge from local communities, households, small businesses, regional networks, NGOs, youth groups, and grassroots movements.
- Grassroots Climate Action = New Opportunities
This bottom-up movement creates major opportunities for businesses, governments, and sustainability leaders:
– Businesses can introduce accessible clean-tech solutions and community-based services.
– Local governments can leverage citizen engagement to drive behaviour change and climate adaptation.
– Social enterprises and consultants can help build capacity, strengthen climate literacy, and develop people-centred solutions.
- 2026: The Year of Bottom-Up Acceleration
Top-down mandates will slow. Community-driven action will accelerate. The most resilient strategies will be those that embed participation, trust, and local ownership.
If 2020–2025 was the era of compliance, 2026–2030 will be the era of community empowerment.