Executive summary

In 2025, sustainability is seen as a driver of long-term business value and a core future-proofing strategy. But while most organizations plan to increase their sustainability investments in the near term, challenges remain – from geopolitical tensions to stakeholders’ demand for greater transparency.

These are findings from the Capgemini Research Institute's report, “A world in balance 2025,” the fourth in a series reporting on cross-industry sustainability trends and how they evolve from year to year.

What challenges does your organization face in advancing its sustainability agenda?

Lack of leadership support
Limited resources or budget
Inadequate data or measurement systems
Siloed operations
Limited access to enabling technologies
Geopolitical shifts

On the one hand, most organizations are retaining their net zero timelines, and 82% plan to increase their environmental sustainability investments over the next 12–18 months. Most executives see sustainability as a strategic lever to stay resilient and competitive: 75% of executives say it is core to their future-proofing efforts.

However, while climate adaptation is on their radar (56% of executives say their organization prioritizes this), actions often stop at planning. For example, only 38% have upgraded physical infrastructure, signaling a disconnect between perceived readiness and actual resilience.

Across industries, both external and internal factors are slowing down progress. Externally, geopolitical tensions get in the way of initiatives, according to 65% of executives. Internally, headway is hindered by issues such as budget constraints (cited by 81% of executives). Additionally, affordability, availability, and information gaps limit consumer adoption of sustainable products.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as both a solution and a challenge: 64% of businesses report using it to advance their sustainability agendas, but concerns remain related to its environmental impact – 57% of executives acknowledge that Gen AI’s environmental impact is being discussed in boardrooms.

The disconnect between organizations’ stated intent to invest in sustainability and the reality of stalled execution reveals a critical paradox. Sustainability is widely recognized as a strategic priority, yet short-term actions sometimes fail to align.

The following digest focuses on key insights from A world in balance 2025. It summarizes findings from Capgemini’s comprehensive survey of 2,146 senior executives (director level and above) from 13 countries, representing 716 organizations with annual revenue above $1 billion.

We conclude by presenting the report’s targeted recommendations to help organizations advance their sustainability efforts, including developing near-term action plans, building robust data systems, using AI responsibly, and more.

What actions is your organization prioritizing in advancing your sustainability goals?

Investing in next-gen infrastructure
Shifting from siloed operations to collaboration
Strengthening credibility with clear targets and reporting
Implementing AI responsibly
Investing in next-generation infrastructure
Shifting from siloed operations to collaboration
Strengthening credibility with clear targets and reporting
Ramping up circularity
Prioritizing water and biodiversity

Key highlights

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