Despite global headwinds, organizations are reaffirming their commitment to sustainability

However, the imperative to demonstrate credible progress is intensifying

Despite global headwinds, organizations are reaffirming their commitments to sustainability

However, the imperative to demonstrate credible progress is intensifying

Organizations across sectors and geographies are backing their sustainability ambitions with targeted investments. Looking forward, most plan to increase their environmental sustainability investments, driven not only by regulatory requirements, but also by the tangible business value sustainability delivers.

Most organizations are also standing firm on their net zero commitments: A solid 92% have retained their net zero timelines, while those who have adjusted their timelines cite overly ambitious targets, limited control over Scope 3 emissions, and high costs as the main reasons, not ideological or strategic changes. This trend held for all countries surveyed, highlighting continued global commitment to sustainability.

_{Source: Capgemini Research Institute, Sustainability transformation trends survey, June–July 2025, N = 716 organizations.}

82%

of organizations plan to increase environmental sustainability investments over the next 12–18 months

About two in three (67%) executives say their organization is under increasing pressure to demonstrate credible, science-based progress toward net zero. Investors, regulators, stakeholders, and customers are no longer satisfied with ambitions, pressing businesses to define near-term action plans and KPIs.

Most organizations are falling short. Only 21% have a detailed transition plan that includes science-based interim targets and capital allocation.

Over 4 in 5 organizations have set targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2041 or later

^{Source: Capgemini Research Institute, Sustainability transformation trends survey, June–July 2025, N = 714 organizations that have a set net zero target.}

At the same time, in 2025, 62% of consumers felt that organizations were greenwashing, up from 52% in 2024 and 33% in 2023, highlighting a growing credibility gap. This consumer skepticism is not unwarranted – one European Commission study suggests that 53% of green claims are vague, misleading, or unfounded, and that 40% have no supporting evidence.¹

Regulators have responded by imposing penalties for falsifying data and providing misleading environmental claims. The message to businesses is clear: sustainability communications must be accurate, transparent, and evidence-based.

Rodolfo Brajcich, Global Director of Nutrition and Sustainability at Sigma, a Mexican multinational food company, highlights how sustainability is core to the company’s strategy:

As we shape our mid- to long-term vision, sustainability is deeply embedded in everything we aim to accomplish. Our core investment areas include monitoring and investing in refrigeration equipment to prevent fugitive emissions; shifting to greener energy sources through on-site electricity generation and clean electricity procurement; reducing water consumption; improving waste management and adopting circular solutions; and transforming packaging by reducing virgin plastic and enhancing recyclability. These are not isolated projects, but part of our core strategy to advance sustainability and business performance.”

_{¹ World Economic Forum, “3 ways regulation can prevent deepfake greenwashing,” July 2025.}