Life lessons from sea lions

I’m just back from a sustainability workshop in the San Francisco area. As a weekend diversion, I spent a good hour watching sea lions soaking up the sun on Pier 39. As one sea lion rolled over, the others on the platform had to radically adjust their positions or risk falling into cold waters. This scene reminded me of some conversations I had during the week, which could fit the pages of John Elkington’s new book, Tickling Sharks.

The CSRD is delivering on its intentions to create a ripple effect on global value chains. Although the workshop was hosted by a company anchored in the US, the conversation fell back on the CSRD and the Eco-Design directive. California’s S.B. 253 and 261 and the U.S. SEC’s proposed climate-related disclosure rules are following in line, coming into force for the fiscal year 2026.

The downside? The conversation is all about climate disclosures. I was struck by how little covered other regulation affecting value chains, like the CSDDD and human rights.

The upside? Companies are avoiding an unintended dip by adapting to remain competitive in European markets and it gives them a head start on meeting legislation in their home markets too.

"There were ten in the bed and the little one said,

'Roll over, roll over.'

So they all rolled over and one fell out..."