Sustainability Remains a Top Priority for Business Executives in 2025

A recent Deloitte survey reveals that sustainability continues to be a central focus for corporate leaders, despite easing external pressures and political challenges.

Key Insights from the Deloitte Survey

• Sustainability’s Standing: For the fourth year running, sustainability maintained its position as a top priority among C-suite executives. In a poll of over 2,100 executives, 45% ranked sustainability and climate change among their top three challenges, alongside technology adoption and AI.

• Increased Investment: A significant 83% of respondents reported heightened investments in sustainability initiatives over the past year.

• Technology Integration: Implementing technology solutions emerged as the foremost priority to advance sustainability goals. Notably, 80% of executives confirmed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainability efforts, primarily to enhance operational efficiency and reduce emissions.

• Business Impact: One-third of companies have experienced operational disruptions caused by extreme weather events, underscoring the urgent business case for sustainable practices. Revenue growth and regulatory compliance were identified as key motivators behind sustainability programs.

Shifts in External Pressures

• Although sustainability remains important internally, pressure from shareholders, boards, governments, customers, and employees has notably diminished since 2022. Shareholder pressure, for example, declined from 71% in 2022 to 58% in 2025. – Specific sustainability actions—such as linking executive compensation to sustainability goals, supplier criteria enforcement, purchasing renewable energy, and adopting sustainable materials—have seen a reduction in commitment.

Executive Perspective

Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer at Delta Air Lines, emphasized the embedded, long-term nature of sustainability efforts. She noted, “We’re not just doing it for sustainability’s sake, we’re doing it because it actually makes sense for the business, and that means it’s going to be stickier.”

Conclusion

Despite softened external pressures and political headwinds, sustainability continues to be strategically embedded in corporate agendas, driven by technology innovation and tangible financial impacts. Companies view sustainability not only as a compliance necessity but as a core element of operational resilience and growth.

Sources: Deloitte 2025 C-suite Survey on Sustainability, Morning Brew Inc.

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