Sustainability

A world in balance: Why sustainability ambition is not translating to action

In 2009, a group of internationally renowned scientists identified the nine processes that regulate the stability and resilience of the Earth.

As of 2022, humanity crossed out of the safe space for six of the nine boundaries for these processes, increasing the risk of abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. In this context, in our newest ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Research Institute report, A World in Balance: Why sustainability ambition is not translating to action, we explore companies’ progress toward sustainability and look at how it can be accelerated.
Ìý
To assess the current state of sustainability at companies, we conducted a global research study surveying over 2,000 respondents from 668 organizations. We found that, while organizations across industries have acknowledged the urgency of climate change, limited action is visible on the ground. Among other roadblocks, many executives are still unclear as to the business case for sustainability or view it as a non-viable option.
Ìý
In contrast to these concerns, our analysis reveals that sustainability and financial metrics can go hand in hand. Those organizations that have outpaced their peers in implementing sustainable practices have witnessed higher revenue per employee relative to the average from 2020 to 2021, employing practices that result in operational efficiencies and sustainable benefits.
Ìý
Ultimately, all organizations will have to do their part in the journey toward sustainability. To this end, they will have to build up a series of achievable short-term goals and implement their ambitions in a combined, collaborative view. In this report, we follow our analysis of sustainability transformation withÌýrecommendations forÌýeightÌýC-suite positions that will enable leaders to accelerate their companies’ transformations.
Ìý
To learn more about how organizations can translate sustainability ambition into action, download the report.

    Executive digest

    What would you like your growth story to say?

    Leading sustainability

    Moving from pledges to real action, focused on practicalities to accelerate global climate action.

      Meet our experts

      James Robey

      Global Head of Sustainability, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½
      I have led the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Group sustainability agenda since setting first carbon reduction targets in 2008. I am a long-term advocate of ambitious targets as a mechanism to drive innovation to ensure continual improvements. I manage our sustainability risks and drive our program to reduce environmental impacts in our most material areas. However the biggest difference we can make on this agenda, is the work we do with our clients. In 2018, we announced a new target to help our clients save 10 million carbon tonnes through leveraging technology. I regularly speak on this topic and engage directly with our clients.

      Courtney Holm

      Vice President, Sustainability Solutions, UK Head of Sustainability & Invent for Society

      Benjamin Alleau

      Managing Director of Enterprise Transformation, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Invent
      Experienced Executive in Global Technology with a demonstrated story of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in Business Process, Business Case, IT Strategy, Business Transformation, and Management. Strong information technology professional with a Engineer focused in Information, Communication Science & Technology from Télécom ParisTech.

        Stay informed

        Subscribe to have the latest report from the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Research Institute delivered direct to your inbox.