- Businesses plan to invest in sustainability but there are challenges
- Consumers are increasingly skeptical of green washing
- Leaders turn to AI for the answers
Four out of five (82%) organizations plan to increase investment in environmental sustainability over the next 12-18 months, with three out of four execs seeing it as code for future regulation (72%), stakeholder confidence (69%) and innovation (67%).
Budget restrictions (81%), poor data/measurement systems (81%), operational silos (79%) and, of course, ongoing geopolitical tensions (65%) prevent all meaningful progress, according to new Capgemini research.
Two -thirds (67%) also feel increasing demand to show progress through credible, science -based actions.
How can companies be more sustainable?
With lots of obstacles in Vejen, business managers are now turning to AI tools to make progress. Nearly two out of three (64%) uses AI to support sustainability across reporting, energy efficiency and climate modeling, but even AI may not have all the answers.
E.g. Is the belief that AIS benefits outweigh the costs, actually dropped from 67% by 2024 to 57% by 2025.
In the UK, 95% of companies have not changed Net-Zero-Timer lines despite global pressure, and more than half (54%) say they are under-prepared on climate impacts.
“With climate risks that are increasingly high on the company’s agenda, business leaders have to introduce a pragmatic, operational approach and urgent implement concrete, financed transitional and adaptation measures,” explained Capgemini leader of global sustainability services and company responsibility Cyril Garcia.
However, the need to do more is clear. Capgemini experienced an increase in consumer skepticism, with 62% believing brands being green washing, up from 52% in 2024 and 33% in 2023.
Only 24% of consumers find sustainable products affordable and only 16% feel they have enough sustainability information.
Interestingly, almost half (49%) reports a positive ROI from sustainability initiatives, often with a faster refund than other investments, so the opportunities that were ahead could be great.
