"Cutting out sustainability in the face of economic downturn is short-term and misguided"

Brands are backing away from prioritising the planet amid difficult financial conditions but sustainability cannot be a mere trend, writes Caroline Till.

It now feels as though we've reached a tipping point in the design and lifestyle industries. Global unrest and economic uncertainty are causing financial and strategic jitters; brands and corporations are shifting away from focus and investment around sustainability.

Examples include the recent closing of Ikea's innovation agency...