In 2022, Capgemini research showed that only 21% of executives felt the business case for sustainability was clear. But in 2023 that number has tripled to 63%.
This is a decisive moment for climate action. Across sectors, companies have taken tangible steps, such as defining emissions goals or restructuring supply chains. These are promising developments – but they are only the first steps in a journey that will continue through 2023 and beyond.
Research for the second annual installment of Capgemini’s A World in Balance series shows that many businesses still miss the mark when it comes to sustainability reporting and sustainable product design. Our data also indicates the need for more social sustainability, as many companies fail to consider the well-being of workers throughout their supply chains. For instance, only 38% of businesses have vowed to work exclusively with suppliers that pay a living wage. We also found a discrepancy between attitudes toward greenwashing: 33% of consumers worldwide believe corporate greenwashing is occurring, but only 17% of executives consider it a concern for consumers.
This digest offers a snapshot of our report, which delves into today’s sustainability trends. We present recommendations to help these business leaders identify and clear the hurdles standing between their companies and truly sustainable operations to accelerate their sustainability transformations.