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The 2026 Net Zero Report: Climate Action as Business Value

The 2026 Net Zero Report: Climate Action as Business Value

90% of the 600 senior leaders we surveyed say their organisation has active climate initiatives. Just 12% have the foundation in place to consistently turn that action into business value. Where does your company stand?

Closing the value delivery gap

90% of the 600 senior leaders we surveyed say their organisation has active climate initiatives. But intent isn't the same as execution. Only 43% run a formal, approved strategy that's actually being implemented. Over half, 53%, still treat their climate work as a compliance exercise. And only 23% reported consistent approval from their CFO or investment committee in the past two years.

The business case for climate action is largely settled. What's still missing, for most companies, is the execution to back it up. And execution depends on an approved budget, which depends on a credible business case.

We call this the value delivery gap: the gap between taking climate action and having the ability to turn that action into measurable emissions reductions and business value.

Just 12% of the leaders we surveyed, 71 out of 600, report the foundations we see as essential to closing it. Those that do are nearly twice as likely as the rest of the respondents to report improvements across several business outcomes, such as operational efficiency or costs, and access to finance or financing terms.

Closing the value delivery gap

90% of the 600 senior leaders we surveyed say their organisation has active climate initiatives. But intent isn't the same as execution. Only 43% run a formal, approved strategy that's actually being implemented. Over half, 53%, still treat their climate work as a compliance exercise. And only 23% reported consistent approval from their CFO or investment committee in the past two years.

The business case for climate action is largely settled. What's still missing, for most companies, is the execution to back it up. And execution depends on an approved budget, which depends on a credible business case.

We call this the value delivery gap: the gap between taking climate action and having the ability to turn that action into measurable emissions reductions and business value.

Just 12% of the leaders we surveyed, 71 out of 600, report the foundations we see as essential to closing it. Those that do are nearly twice as likely as the rest of the respondents to report improvements across several business outcomes, such as operational efficiency or costs, and access to finance or financing terms.

Dara Olufon

In conversation after conversation with senior leaders this year, the same question keeps surfacing in different words: what's actually stopping us from approving the capital to unlock value from climate action? This report sets out to answer it.

Dara Olufon Global Head of Advisory, South Pole

What's inside the report:

  • Executive summary: the key findings and the four criteria that define the Advanced group.
  • The four building blocks: what they are, why they matter and what gets in the way. Together, they're made up of 15 criteria, which we assessed each respondent's organisation against. They aren't independent items to pick from. Each builds on the last, and skipping one makes the next harder to deliver.
    1. Decide where, when and how to act: Identify where climate action creates the most business value, then sequence it into a decarbonisation plan with the numbers behind it.
    2. Secure commitment: Get the plan approved, funded and owned, with a named executive accountable for delivering it.
    3. Mobilise delivery: Turn a funded strategy into daily practice across product development, sales, procurement and operations.
    4. Measure and prove value: Track what climate action delivers, emissions and financial outcomes alike, through the same systems and audit standards the rest of the business reports through.
  • Roadmap to business value: practical steps to put each building block in place, with client case studies.
  • Detailed diagnosis: benchmarks for all 15 criteria, so you can see exactly where your organisation stands.
  • About the research: who we surveyed and how.

 

Learn what it takes to turn climate action into business value

Download the report to learn more about the four building blocks that turn climate action into business value, the barriers holding most organisations back and a practical roadmap to close your own value delivery gap.

Build net zero targets and transition plans

Build net zero targets and transition plans

Connect your climate ambition to financial reality. Discover how to close data gaps, model target scenarios, and execute credible transition plans.

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