CEOs are at a turning point in their approach to sustainability, moving from ambition to pragmatic action. A new UN Global Compact-Accenture study reveals that business leaders are increasingly viewing sustainability as a core business fundamental.
Key findings:
The “2025 CEO Study” by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture surveyed over 1,900 CEOs across 128 countries to assess corporate sentiment on sustainability. The following are the key data points from the press release and study.
Commitment to Sustainability: Nearly all CEOs (99%) have stated their intention to maintain or expand their sustainability commitments.
Strengthened Business Case: An overwhelming majority (88%) of CEOs believe the business case for sustainability is stronger than it was five years ago.
Readiness Gaps: Fewer than 15% of CEOs feel well-prepared for major global challenges, including inflation, trade, and climate change.
Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory compliance is a leading organizational priority for 95% of CEOs. Furthermore, 92% believe strong global governance and unified policy are “important” or “critical” for the sustainability agenda.
Consumer Influence: 98% of CEOs agree that the private sector can drive progress through sustainable products and services. Consumer influence is gaining ground and is now ranked alongside governments and investors as a key driver.
Technology and Skills: While 96% of CEOs see innovation and technology as essential for global sustainability goals, only 27% are considering leveraging digital tools for sustainability tracking and measurement across their value chains. Additionally, only one in four (26%) have dedicated scenario-planning teams for risk management.
Thought leadership:
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact: “CEOs are crystal clear: sustainability has moved from moral imperative to business fundamental. This study sets out a pragmatic playbook: work with regulators, meet fast-rising consumer expectations, invest in technology and skills, and communicate progress credibly.” She also notes the “execution gap” that must be closed.
Stephanie Jamison, Global Resources Industry Practice Chair and Global Sustainability Services Lead at Accenture: “Business leaders know that technology, data, and AI are critical to meeting their sustainability targets, yet gaps persist as they move from ambition to execution.” She advocates for a “multigenerational approach” to close this gap.
The study reveals that CEOs have moved past the initial phase of commitment and now face the critical task of pragmatic execution. Their challenge is to bridge the gap between ambition and action by investing in the technology and skills required to truly embed sustainability into their business.
The next era of leadership requires not just strong words, but a decisive shift toward collective measures that create both lasting business value and a sustainable future.
