PUBLISHED DATE: 2026-10-28 04:01:13

PUBLICIS SAPIENT EXECUTIVE SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH SURVEY

Partnering with Microsoft

Executives have a positive outlook on the future of their sustainability goals, with all respondents believing they will achieve their sustainability goals within their set timeframe.

As the world continues to recover from a global pandemic and people begin to understand the new normal, we can all start to think about what is next. While not a new issue, sustainability is one place where businesses can focus on improving their practices. But how can sustainability fit into a companies’ overall strategy?

Publicis Sapient partnered with Ipsos, the world’s third largest insights and analytics firm, to interview high-level executives working at medium to large companies in the agriculture, airlines, energy, manufacturing, midstream, oil & gas, and utilities industries about their opinion on sustainability, how it fits into their companies’ strategies, and what are some of the cost benefits and limitations.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THIS RESEARCH

GOALS

Executives are prioritizing sustainability at their companies and are confident they will be able to achieve their sustainability goals.

Though most high-level executives are supporters of sustainability goals, the pressure to achieve these goals primarily comes from a sense of social responsibility and aiming to improve the company’s reputation.

Overall, executives say their motivation for their sustainability goals are influenced primarily by customers and internal pressure, while pressure from key stakeholders and government regulation is more secondary.

While all executives are confident they can achieve their goals in their set time frame, in the case of a recession, sustainability goals may take a back seat.

DETAILED FINDINGS

Overall, C-Suite and VP level executives view sustainability as an important aspect of their companies’ goals. The majority report that focusing on the environmental impact of their business (83%), incorporating sustainability into strategic decision-making (84%), and focusing on sustainability (78%) are essential or high priority items at their respective companies.

TOP 5 ESSENTIAL/HIGH PRIORITY ITEMS BY INDUSTRY

Total

Meeting financial targets/meeting shareholders needs: 95%
Maintaining reputation/brand and preventing damage: 90%
Finding innovative ways to meet customer needs: 85%
Incorporating sustainability into strategic decision-making: 84%
Focusing on the environmental impact of our business: 83%

Manufacturing

Meeting financial targets/meeting shareholders needs: 99%
Maintaining reputation/brand and preventing damage: 93%
Finding innovative ways to meet customer needs: 81%
Incorporating sustainability into strategic decision-making: 80%
Focusing on the environmental impact of our business: 79%

Energy

Meeting financial targets/meeting shareholders needs: 95%
Maintaining reputation/brand and preventing damage: 90%
Finding innovative ways to meet customer needs: 85%
Incorporating sustainability into strategic decision-making: 84%
Focusing on the environmental impact of our business: 83%

Significantly more executives in the manufacturing industry report decreasing waste from production and using more recycled materials as a sustainability goal than executives in the energy industry (88% and 57%, respectively). However, energy executives are more focused on participating in voluntary carbon markets or offsets (41%) and participating in carbon project financing (33%) than manufacturers (22% and 11%, respectively).
Executives say the primary motivator for these goals is social responsibility and the feeling that is the right thing to do (76%), followed by ensuring the business can continue to grow (62%) and maintaining or improving their company’s public reputation (43%).
While the majority agree that improving sustainability practices is a good long-term business decision (96%), and that customers will expect them to do so in the next five years (94%), far fewer agree that the pressure to achieve their sustainability goals will drive significant disruption for their business in the next five years (67%).

THE TOP SUSTAINABILITY GOALS COMPANIES ARE AIMING TO ACHIEVE ARE:

83% decreasing carbon emissions from the business
71% decreasing waste from production as well as using more recycled materials
68% increasing the share of renewable energy sources used
21%, or just 1 in 5, aim to participate in carbon project financing

Companies primarily are relying on increased efficiency to achieve their sustainability goals (80%). Additionally, about 2 in 3 say they also plan on lowering energy and manufacturing costs from sustainable sources (67%) as well as making changes to their energy or fuel mix (57%).
A majority of companies have a long-term time frame for their sustainability goals, with about two thirds (61%) planning on achieving their goals in three years or more. Thirty-nine percent plan on achieving their goals within the next one to three years. However, regardless of the time frame set, nearly all executives say it is likely they will achieve their goals within their set time frames.
Relatedly, most executives also believe they are closer to achieving their sustainability goals than the rest of their industry is (69%) and that they are more committed to their goals than the rest of the industry (81%).

While sustainability is rated as a top priority at the moment, executives indicate that in the case of lost earnings or changes in the economic landscape, their sustainability goals may become less important.

A majority of respondents believe that their earnings will grow by 5-10% (40%) or less than 5% (43%) from achieving their sustainability goals. However, most are unwilling to trade off more than 5% of their earnings growth in order to achieve those goals (74%). Additionally, the majority of executives say they will not exit a profitable business or divest a profitable asset in the next five years to achieve their sustainability goals (58%).
1 in 5 (21%) report that the current inflation rates have made them decrease their sustainability targets and, in the case of an economic downturn, 2 in 5 (43%) say it would make their sustainability goals less important.

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

Manufacturing vs Energy

Increasing efficiency: 71% vs 86%
Lowering energy and manufacturing costs from sustainable sources: 47% vs 80%

Full Annotated Questionnaire

These are the findings of an Ipsos/Publicis Sapient poll conducted between May 17- June 13. For this survey, a sample of 254 adults C-Suite and VP level Executives from a range of medium/large industries from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 7.5 percentage points for all respondents.

Question #1

TO WHAT EXTENT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR COMPANY PRIORITIZES EACH OF THE FOLLOWING?

Meeting financial targets/meeting shareholders needs | 95% | 2% | 67% | 28% | 4% | 1% | * | —

Maintaining reputation/brand and preventing damage | 90% | 2% | 51% | 39% | 8% | 2% | * | —

Finding innovative ways to meet customer needs | 85% | 1% | 36% | 49% | 14% | 1% | — | —

Incorporating sustainability into strategic decision-making | 84% | 2% | 32% | 52% | 15% | 2% | — | —

Focusing on the environmental impact of our business | 83% | 2% | 33% | 50% | 15% | 2% | — | *

Staying current with new trends and/or technology | 78% | 3% | 25% | 54% | 19% | 3% | * | —

Focusing on sustainability | 78% | 2% | 28% | 50% | 20% | 2% | — | —

Being agile and adapting quickly to what is going on in the world | 77% | 2% | 28% | 49% | 21% | 2% | * | —

Investing in infrastructure and tools to improve sustainability of the company | 71% | 2% | 23% | 48% | 26% | 2% | * | —

Leading the field with new trends and/or technology | 68% | 6% | 26% | 42% | 27% | 4% | 1% | —

Question #2

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS FOR YOUR BUSINESS? PLEASE SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

Response | Total

Decreasing our carbon emissions from our business | 83%

Decreasing waste from production and/or using more recycled materials | 71%

Increasing share of renewable energy sources used | 68%

Helping our customers decrease their carbon emissions | 55%

Helping or requiring decreased carbon emissions from our suppliers | 52%

Participating in voluntary carbon markets or carbon offsets | 35%

Improving access to our services among underserved communities | 26%

Participating in carbon project financing | 21%

Other | 6%

None of the above | —

Question #3

WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY REASONS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THESE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS? PLEASE SELECT UP TO THREE RESPONSES.

Response | Total

Social responsibility/it is the right thing to do | 76%

Ensuring the business can continue to grow in the future | 62%

Maintain or improved public reputation | 43%

To comply with regulations | 36%

Maintain or increase customer base | 25%

Pressure from key stakeholders | 17%

Opportunities for new investors | 16%

Maintain or increased profits | 16%

Other | 1%

None of the above | —

Question #4

HOW IS YOUR COMPANY PLANNING ON ACHIEVING ITS SUSTAINABILITY GOALS? PLEASE SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

Response | Total

Increased efficiency | 80%

Lowering energy & manufacturing costs from sustainable sources | 67%

Changes to energy or fuel mix | 57%

Carbon offsets | 40%

New business creation | 37%

Asset/business divestitures | 24%

Other | 6%

None of the above | —

Question #5

IN WHAT TIME FRAME DOES YOUR COMPANY PLAN TO ACHIEVE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

In the long term (3+ years) | 61%

In the short term (1-3 years) | 39%

Question #6

HOW LIKELY DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT YOUR COMPANY WILL ACHIEVE ITS GOALS IN THAT TIME FRAME?

Response | Among those with short term time frame Total (N=98) | Among those with long term time frame Total (N=156)

Very likely | 52% | 48%

Somewhat likely | 48% | 49%

Not very likely | — | 3%

Not at all likely | — | —

Likely | 100% | 97%

Not likely | — | 3%

Question #7

NOW CONSIDER YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS RELATIVE TO YOUR COMPETITORS. HOW CLOSE DO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE TO ACHIEVING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE INDUSTRIES’ GOALS?

Response | Total

Much closer | 22%

Somewhat closer | 47%

Somewhat further | 21%

Much further | 4%

Don’t know | 6%

Closer | 69%

Further | 26%

Question #8

AGAIN CONSIDERING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS RELATIVE TO YOUR COMPETITORS, HOW COMMITTED TO YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR COMPANY IS RELATIVE TO THE REST OF YOUR INDUSTRY?

Response | Total

Much more committed | 31%

Somewhat more committed | 50%

No difference | 13%

Somewhat less committed | 4%

Much less committed | *

Don’t know | 2%

More committed | 81%

Less committed | 4%

Question #9

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE SPONSORSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT OF EXECUTIVE LEADERS IN YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | 63% | 34% | 2% | 2% | —

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | 51% | 29% | 5% | 15% | *

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) | 43% | 34% | 2% | 18% | 3%

Chief Operating Officer (COO) | 53% | 29% | 3% | 6% | 9%

Chief Technology Officer | 42% | 32% | 5% | 15% | 7%

Question #10

DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS APPLY TO YOUR COMPANY?

Statement | Yes | No | Don’t Know

Sustainability is incorporated into strategic decision making | 95% | 5% | —

Sustainability is incorporated into capital investment | 78% | 12% | 10%

Executive performance metrics are tied to meeting or exceeding corporate sustainability goals | 63% | 26% | 11%

Sustainability is calculated into return-on-investment capital | 48% | 35% | 18%

Question #11

HOW IMPORTANT, IF AT ALL, ARE YOUR COMPANY’S SUSTAINABILITY GOALS TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS?

Employees | 94% | 6% | 39% | 55% | 6% | —

Investors | 93% | 7% | 53% | 40% | 7% | *

Regulators | 93% | 1% | 36% | 49% | 14% | 1%

Customers | 92% | 8% | 47% | 45% | 8% | —

The General Public | 87% | 13% | 36% | 52% | 12% | 1%

Question #12

WHAT PERCENT EARNINGS (EPS) GROWTH DO YOU ANTICIPATE FROM ACHIEVING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

0% | 9%

Less than 5% | 43%

5-10% | 40%

Greater than 10% | 8%

Question #13

WHAT PERCENT OF EARNINGS GROWTH DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR COMPETITORS WILL GAIN FROM ACHIEVING THEIR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

0% | 11%

Less than 5% | 62%

5-10% | 24%

Greater than 10% | 3%

Question #14

WHAT PERCENT OF EARNINGS (EPS) WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TRADE OFF TO ACHIEVE YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AT YOUR COMPANY?

Response | Total

0% | 15%

Less than 5% | 59%

5-10% | 24%

Greater than 10% | 2%

Question #15

WHAT PERCENT OF EARNINGS (EPS) DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR COMPETITORS WOULD BE WILLING TO TRADE-OFF TO ACHIEVE THEIR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

0% | 20%

Less than 5% | 67%

5-10% | 12%

Greater than 10% | 1%

Question #16

DO YOU EXPECT TO EXIT A PROFITABLE BUSINESS OR DIVEST A PROFITABLE ASSET IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS TO ACHIEVE YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

Definitely Yes | 8%

Probably Yes | 21%

Probably No | 41%

Definitely No | 17%

Don’t know | 12%

Yes | 30%

No | 58%

Question #17

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS?

Improving sustainability practices are a good long-term business decision | 96% | 4% | 69% | 27% | 2% | 1% | *

For the good of our planet, it is important that my industry achieve its sustainability goals | 95% | 5% | 66% | 29% | 4% | 1% | *

I believe customers will expect us to improve our sustainability practices over the next five years | 94% | 6% | 59% | 44% | 6% | — | *

Increased pressure from regulators will force us to improve sustainability in our business over the next five years | 87% | 11% | 41% | 45% | 9% | 2% | 2%

The increased pressure from investors over the next five years will help improve sustainability in our business | 86% | 12% | 38% | 48% | 11% | 2% | 2%

Improving sustainability practices are a good short-term business decision | 81% | 19% | 21% | 52% | 15% | 4% | *

The pressure to achieve sustainability goals will drive significant disruption in my business in the next five years | 67% | 31% | 24% | 43% | 25% | 6% | 2%

The U.S is falling behind the rest of the world on sustainability practices | 61% | 35% | 21% | 40% | 25% | 11% | 4%

Question #18

HOW MUCH OF A ROLE, IF ANY, DO YOU EXPECT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF YOUR MARKET(S) TO PLAY IN INCREASING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF YOUR BUSINESS?

Response | Total

No role | 2%

Minor role | 39%

Major role | 59%

Question #19

IN WHAT WAYS, IF ANY, HAS THE RECENT GEOPOLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE IMPACTED YOUR SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY? PLEASE SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

Response | Total

Influenced us to create more ambitious sustainability targets | 36%

The geopolitical situation influenced us to create sustainability goals | 26%

Inflation rates made us decrease our sustainability targets | 21%

The geopolitical situation has influenced us to defer our sustainability goals | 15%

Inflation rates made us increase our sustainability targets | 15%

Other | 4%

None of the above | 31%

Question #20

IN WHAT WAYS, IF ANY, WOULD AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OR RECESSION IMPACT THE IMPORTANCE OF ACHIEVING YOUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

Response | Total

Would become much more important | 10%

Would become somewhat more important | 15%

Would become somewhat less important | 32%

Would become much less important | 10%

Would have no impact on the importance of our sustainability goals | 32%

More important | 25%

Less important | 43%

Question #21

HOW DO YOU GET MOST OF YOUR NEWS? PLEASE SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

Response | Total

Online/internet news | 79%

Mobile News apps | 54%

Social media (Twitter, Facebook) | 41%

Television broadcast news | 26%

Television cable news | 25%

Print newspapers/magazines (and their online versions) | 23%

Radio | 21%

None of the above | 1%

TOGETHER WE TAKE DIGITAL EXPERIENCES INTO TOMORROW

Publicis Sapient is a digital transformation partner helping established organizations get to their future, digitally-enabled state, both in the way they work and the way they serve their customers. We help unlock value through a start-up mindset and modern methods, fusing strategy, consulting and customer experience with agile engineering and problem-solving creativity. As digital pioneers with 20,000 people and 53 offices around the globe, our experience spanning technology, data sciences, consulting and customer obsession – combined with our culture of curiosity and relentlessness – enables us to accelerate our clients’ businesses through designing the products and services their customers truly value. Publicis Sapient is the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Groupe.

For more information, visit publicissapient.com.

ABOUT THE STUDY

For more information on this news release, please contact:

DAVID RAMSEY

Senior Director, Microsoft Practice

david.ramsey@microsoft.com

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