CEOs call for a new era of pragmatic execution that embeds sustainability in strategy and culture (96%), but warn of capability gaps in technology and communications.
CEOs shift from ambition to activation on sustainability, with nearly all (99%) stating their intent to maintain or expand their commitments, according to the 2025 edition of the CEO Study from the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture. Despite only a small percentage (fewer than 15%) feeling well prepared for major global challenges, including inflation, trade and climate change, a majority (88%) of CEOs say the business case for sustainability is stronger than it was five years ago.
“Turning the Key: Unlocking the Next Era of Sustainability Leadership” comes at a critical time, as 2024 marks the first calendar year to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold. The report offers one of the most comprehensive longitudinal views of CEO sentiment on sustainability, published as the UN Global Compact celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Commenting on the study’s findings, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said: “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. As the world breached the 1.5°C threshold and with a $4.3 trillion annual SDG financing gap leaving 3.4 billion people in countries spending more on interest than on health or education, the private sector must close the execution gap—embedding sustainability into strategy and culture, scaling innovation across value chains, and partnering to shape rules that reward long-term business value. Companies that act on these findings will build resilience, unlock growth, grow industries, stimulate economies and accelerate delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The 2025 CEO Study distills five “keys” to unlock momentum at scale: collaborate on regulation; harness consumer demand; expand access to technology; upskill for the future; and lead with credibility and purpose. CEOs are already preparing for a more regulated future—92% say strong global governance and unified policy are important or critical; 95% report regulatory compliance is a leading organizational priority; and 84% believe their companies are ready to meet upcoming sustainability regulations.
At the same time, consumer influence is gaining ground, alongside that of governments, employees and even investors. Ninety-eight per cent agree the private sector can drive progress through sustainable products and services, and 96% of CEOs advise their successors to embed sustainability in the company vision and culture. But gaps persist, particularly around digital tools to track and measure sustainability performance across value chains, which can limit how fully companies are able to respond to rising demand.
The report further finds that governance and technology-based skills for forward-looking risk capabilities are also lagging: only one in four (26%) CEOs report having dedicated scenario-planning teams and even less (fewer than 15%) feel well-prepared for major macroeconomic and sustainability challenges. And while 96% of CEOs say innovation and technology are essential to achieving global sustainability goals, 27% are considering leveraging digital tools for sustainability tracking and measurement.
“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,” said Stephanie Jamison, Global Resources Industry Practice Chair and Global Sustainability Services Lead at Accenture. “Across industries and geographies, our clients are eager to move away from isolated projects toward adopting a multigenerational approach that compounds learnings, accelerates delivery and reduces cost. This can be a blueprint for growth that pairs sustainability commitments with bold, AI-driven reinvention that is built-in, not bolted on.”
