A new report has revealed that sustainability is a major drain on resources and business leaders are worried they may fail to meet targets.
The True State of Sustainability report was launched by Leafr, revealing what senior sustainability leaders are really saying behind closed doors.
Compiled from 50 in-depth, anonymous interviews with heads of sustainability at major multinationals, mid-sized enterprises and SMEs, and an anonymous survey sent to a further 400, the company said it provided an unfiltered look at the stark challenges and realities sustainability leaders face in today’s business landscape.
Among the key findings, the report found a huge resource strain on sustainability teams, with 75% of senior sustainability leaders reporting that their teams are under-resourced, leaving them isolated and severely limited in their capacity to drive meaningful change.
There are also significant concerns about net zero targets. Despite high-profile net zero pledges, three in four sustainability leaders express doubt in their company’s ability to meet these targets, signalling the need for clearer alignment and stronger internal support.
Lack of commercial alignment was another of the key findings. While 80% of companies report a commitment to sustainability, only 29% of sustainability leaders feel these initiatives are integrated with core commercial goals, underscoring a key disconnect.
In terms of leadership awareness and support, 89% believe their executive teams lack awareness of regulatory risks tied to non-compliance, often leading to last-minute scrambles and insufficient backing for sustainability strategies.
“Our report lifts the lid on what sustainability leaders are facing daily—struggles that rarely make it into public reports,” said Gus Bartholomew, co-founder of Leafr. “From resource-starved teams to a serious disconnect between sustainability and profit goals, these leaders’ candid insights reveal a pressing need for strategic support if companies are truly committed to sustainability.”
The report includes direct, anonymised quotes from sustainability leaders, describing the friction between public pledges and practical realities—from battling for budget to dealing with inconsistent corporate priorities. These perspectives underscore the complex challenges sustainability heads face in trying to create genuine impact.
Bartholomew concluded that the report offers actionable recommendations for business leaders and policymakers, emphasising the importance of aligning sustainability with commercial strategy, strengthening C-suite engagement and using regulatory risks to drive action.
- To see the full report, click here
COMMENTS