New study reveals lack of confidence among sustainability professionals in achieving climate goals
London, UK – A new study conducted by the UK consultancy network Leafr has found that less than one in ten sustainability professionals feel confident in their organization’s ability to achieve their climate goals. The report, titled “The True State of Sustainability 2025”, draws on insights from 450 sustainability leads across Europe, including chief sustainability officers, ESG consultants, and corporate responsibility managers.
The study highlights the challenges faced by sustainability professionals, including shrinking budgets, team shortages, and lack of senior support. According to the report, only 11% of sustainability professionals feel confident in hitting their long- or short-term targets, a decrease from 25% in 2024. Additionally, 76% report that their teams are under-resourced, and 91% have been asked to take on tasks outside their area of expertise.
The report also reveals a significant decrease in C-suite buy-in since last year, with only 37% of respondents citing lack of regulation as a blocker to progress. This comes at a time when the global sustainability discourse is shifting from rhetoric to results, with businesses facing the challenge of delivering on their sustainability commitments.
Mike Barry, Co-founder of Planeatry Alliance and former Director of Sustainable Business at M&S, commented on the report, stating, “The Leafr True State Report is a refreshing dousing with cold water – an honest appraisal of the state of the sustainable business profession.” He added, “The public holding of sustainability targets remains important, but the worry grows that truly transformative action is still stalled at the start line.”
Dr. Mary Johnstone-Louis, Senior Fellow in Management Practice at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, also weighed in, saying, “Leafr’s new report is clear: leaders with a compliance-led approach to sustainability put their companies at risk.” She emphasized the need for a radical rethink and leaders who act on Leafr’s recommendations to shape, rather than chase, the future.
Gus Bartholomew, Leafr co-founder, stated, “The data confirms what we hear from our community every day. Sustainability teams cannot deliver net zero on their own.” He added, “Unless leadership, regulators, and investors align behind a pragmatic model that values environmental outcomes as much as financial ones, targets will remain out of reach.”
Nick Valenzia, Leafr co-founder, emphasized the need for a systemic collaboration and smarter use of external expertise and technology to achieve sustainability goals. He said, “The problem is not a lack of ambition: it’s a broken delivery model.” Valenzia added, “If we are serious about delivering our commitments, we need to match resourcing with rhetoric.”
The True State of Sustainability Report serves as a wake-up call for businesses, policymakers, investors, and the sustainability profession itself. It highlights the need for systemic collaboration, regulatory clarity, and smarter use of external expertise and technology. The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.leafr.com/the-true-state-of-sustainability-report.
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.