Business progress on sustainability slowed amid inflation and conflicts

Sustainability progress from businesses around the world has slowed this year amid inflation and geopolitical turbulence, according to a study.

Financial services giant EY surveyed more than 500 chief sustainability officers or equivalents, representing companies with revenues of more than $1 billion (£800 million).

The researchers found a decline in progress on greenhouse gas emissions reductions to a median of 20%, compared with 30% in 2022.

Meanwhile, many firms surveyed said they are extending their target deadlines for achieving their climate goals, with the median year shifting from 2036 to 2050.

Only 34% said they are planning to spend more to address climate change, down from 61% in 2022, with the study suggesting that rising inflation and geopolitical turbulence is impacting businesses’ ability to accelerate sustainability efforts.

The study also found that the number of actions organisations are taking in relation to climate change has fallen from an average of 10 in 2022 to just four this year, out of a possible 32 benchmarked in the survey.

However, it also highlighted that delivering on sustainability initiatives has had significant financial benefits, with 52% of respondents experiencing financial value exceeding their expectations and 63% witnessing better than expected improvements in product and brand value.

Elsewhere, it found that fewer organisations are leading the charge on climate action, with only 7% of those surveyed qualifying as “pacesetters”, compared with 32% in 2022.

Meanwhile, the survey suggests that external market demand for climate action remains with more than half of sustainability leaders saying that investors (58%) and customers (51%) are accelerators.

Amy Brachio, Global Vice Chair of Sustainability at EY, said: “Amidst the backdrop of unprecedented geopolitical tensions, sustainability leaders are facing clear challenges with resource allocation, but we cannot afford collective efforts to slow when the stakes are so high.

“While short-term pressures persist, CSOs in all sectors need to be doubling down on driving long-term investment and movement on their sustainability commitments and adopt the meticulous planning required to achieve our net zero goals.

“To do this, CSOs need to articulate a clear vision and effectively showcase the competitive advantage and financial value that can be derived from delivering on an ambitious sustainability strategy.”