Whereas this 12 months introduced loads of setbacks for sustainability, new analysis reveals what developments practically 400 world sustainability specialists thought had essentially the most optimistic impression on the sustainability agenda in 2025.
In accordance with a survey from Trellis information companion GlobeScan and ERM, laws stays essentially the most vital driver of progress, cited by 18 % of specialists, though its perceived significance has declined in comparison with 2024, when it was cited by 33 % of specialists. Regulatory motion continues to set the tempo for change, creating frameworks that drive accountability and progress.
Specialists additionally level to renewables and low-carbon applied sciences (14 %) and local weather and nature-based options (13 %) as vital forces accelerating momentum. Sustainability disclosure requirements, in distinction, have seen a notable decline in affect in comparison with final 12 months (all the way down to 12 % in comparison with 19 % in 2024), signaling a shift towards implementation and tangible outcomes.
What this implies
The sustainability transition continues to be underway, even amid backlash. Whereas it’s slowed considerably, legislative momentum continues to form priorities, making it vital for organizations to combine coverage developments into technique. Renewable vitality and low-carbon applied sciences are creating price benefits and accelerating decarbonization, whereas nature-based options are now not peripheral however now important for local weather resilience and carbon elimination. These are key levers of progress as corporations try to make sustainability a core driver of enterprise and deal with tangible actions and impression.
Based mostly on a survey of 391 sustainability specialists throughout 57 international locations carried out between August-October 2025.