Expert Predictions For Sustainability In 2026, Part 2
A few years ago, sustainability emerged as a significant business discipline, driven by regulation, risk management, operational performance, and capital allocation. By 2026, it is anticipated that sustainability will be integral to corporate strategy,…
A few years ago, sustainability emerged as a significant business discipline, driven by regulation, risk management, operational performance, and capital allocation. By 2026, it is anticipated that sustainability will be integral to corporate strategy, influencing reporting, investment, and product design. The focus is shifting from bold pledges to tangible outcomes, with businesses under pressure to demonstrate that sustainability initiatives are both ethically sound and commercially viable.
Sustainability is transitioning from external storytelling to internal decision-making, with environmental and social considerations being treated as operational and financial priorities. This shift is altering ownership, measurement, and investment decisions within organizations. Regulatory pressures are central to this transition, requiring companies to enhance data quality, supply chain visibility, and transition plan credibility.
Sustainability is increasingly linked to risk management, as extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and infrastructure vulnerability become immediate concerns. Businesses that fail to integrate these realities into their strategies may be unprepared for future disruptions. Sustainability is now seen as corporate resilience, protecting long-term performance in an unpredictable world.
By 2026, it is anticipated that sustainability will be integral to corporate strategy, influencing reporting, investment, and product design.
Regulatory pressure is accompanied by a shift in justifying sustainability within organizations. The emphasis is moving toward tangible business outcomes such as cost savings, operational efficiency, and supply chain stability. Technology advances are accelerating this shift, enabling a granular understanding of environmental performance, linking sustainability decisions to financial outcomes.
Sustainability is increasingly viewed as a lever for differentiation. Organizations that effectively embed sustainability are positioning themselves to outperform competitors in resource efficiency, resilience, innovation, and trust.
Daniel Usifoh: Co-Founder, Axiom Sustainability Software Juliette Devillard: Founder and CEO, Climate Connection Jim Mellon: Executive Chairman, Agronomics Dana Haidan: Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2 Kamil Kluza: Co-Founder, Climate X David Delfassy: Investment Director, TDK Ventures Sam Hill: Global AI Infrastructure, Investment Analyst, TDK Ventures Carlota Galván: Global Head ESG, HBX Group Sam Stark: CEO and Founder, Green Project Technologies Mike Smeed: Managing Director, InMotion Ventures Alyssa Zucker: Senior Industry Principal, Workiva Richard Neish: CEO, Crosstide Robert Schogger: Co-Founder and CEO, MetSpace Nishith Rastogi: CEO and Founder, Locus Rebecca Scottorn: Partner, L.E.K. Consulting
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.
