New York, NY (18 January 2022)—Released today, Deloitte’s 2022 CxO Sustainability Report: The Disconnect Between Ambition and Impact, reveals that global C-level business leaders (or CxOs) are increasingly concerned about climate change and see the world at a tipping point to act. Eighty-nine percent of CxOs agree there’s a climate crisis and 63% say their organisations are very concerned. Yet, they are struggling to fully embed sustainability into their core business strategies, operations, and cultures.
Understanding the rising importance of sustainability and the immense threat of climate change, Deloitte built upon past research by engaging more than 2,000 CxOs across 21 countries to examine business leaders’ and companies’ concerns and actions related to climate change and sustainability. The report also explores the disconnect between company ambition and impact, as well as steps CxOs can take to start to bridge the gap.
“The battle against climate change isn’t a choice, it’s billions of choices,” says Deloitte Global CEO Emeritus Punit Renjen. “No action is insignificant, but certain activities and decisions ‘move the needle’ more than others, and those bolder actions from business leaders are needed now while there’s still time to limit the damage. It’s time to prove we’re up to the challenge.”
The impacts of climate change are weighing heavily on executives’ minds. The majority (79%) of CxOs believe the world is at a tipping point when it comes to responding to climate change. That’s up 20 percentage points from a Deloitte survey conducted eight months prior, underscoring the growing importance of acting swiftly. What’s more, 88% of CxOs are optimistic that with immediate action, the world can limit the worst impacts to the planet. That is similarly higher than 63% eight months prior. The surge in concern, but also optimism, demonstrates that leaders are increasingly cognizant of the need to act now.
The data shows CxOs are feeling tangible pressure on a number of levels:
“Climate change is no longer in the distant or even near future. It’s here now and the choices we make today will determine the quality of life for generations to come,” says Jennifer Steinmann, Deloitte Global Climate and Sustainability Marketplace Leader. “A better future depends on a profound and lasting change in attitude and behavior from governments, businesses, and individuals. The business community can help model new forms of cooperation that identify the best ideas, regardless of source and create new and lasting solutions that will have the greatest impact for them, their stakeholders, and their communities.”
Companies are acting: Two-thirds of CxOs said their organisations are using more sustainable materials and increasing the efficiency of energy use; more than half have adopted energy-efficient or climate-friendly machinery, technologies, and equipment; and a majority are intentionally reducing air travel and training employees on their climate actions and impact.
However, companies are less likely to implement actions that demonstrate they have embedded climate considerations into their cultures and have the senior leader buy-in and influence to effect meaningful transformation. While all sustainability actions are important, Deloitte’s analysis of the report has identified five “needle-moving” actions that, especially when taken together, demonstrate a deeper understanding of the business benefits of sustainability. They are:
Compared to other climate actions, companies are much less likely to have already undertaken these five, and more than one-third of organisations haven’t implemented more than one of them. While concern for the environment and optimism for change both remain strong, organisations will increasingly need to consider taking more decisive action to limit the worst impacts of climate change.
CxOs also chose brand recognition and reputation, customer satisfaction, and employee morale and well-being as three of the four top benefits of their companies’ sustainability efforts, suggesting many CxOs see climate actions as beneficial to their relationships with their stakeholders. The lowest-ranked benefits (revenue from both longstanding and new business, asset values, cost of investment, and operating margins) suggest CxOs continue to struggle with the short-term costs of transitioning to a low carbon future.
Deloitte’s survey revealed a group of leaders 19% of the sample whose organisations serve as a model for tackling sustainability with efficiency and effectiveness, while reaping the benefits in return. These leading organisations have implemented at least four of the five “needle-moving” sustainability actions. Compared to those organisations who haven’t implemented more than one 35% of the total (nearly double the leader group) these leaders are:
”Not all businesses are at the same stage in their climate journeys, but all companies will soon need to move from ‘why’ to ‘how’ with their own customised approach,” says Renjen. “However, these actions are important markers of leadership as they require having a mindset that sees both the risks of inaction and the opportunity of sustainability, a culture that embeds climate directly into business strategy, buy-in from senior leaders, and the ability to influence third parties, including business partners, government, and regulators.”
To learn more about Deloitte’s 2022 CxO Sustainability Report, please see Deloitte’s website.
The report is based on a survey of 2,083 C-level executives. The survey, conducted by KS&R Inc. and Deloitte, during September and October 2021, polled respondents from 21 countries: 44% from Europe/South Africa; 31% from the Americas; and 24% from Asia Pacific. All major industry sectors were represented in our sample. Additionally, KS&R and Deloitte conducted select, one on one interviews with global industry leaders.
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