The Cost of Waiting
4 years, 5 months, 27 days, 15 hours
25 January 2025
Economic fundamentals, and heightened awareness of business risks from climate and nature-related exposures, are continuing to drive the sustainability agenda.
‘The question is not if, it is when we face up to this. We are going to have to deal with the inevitable planetary changes that are coming. We will either do so sooner with less effort or later with more effort… The planet and nature will without question survive, evolve and adapt – it is just a question of what humanity’s role will be.’
These wise words were from my former colleague Janet Greenwood, who wrote in response to one of my previous blogs to draw to my attention this article by sustainability media company edie: Two-thirds of businesses to boost sustainability spending in 2025.
The article summarises certain findings of the Capgemini Research Institute Investing Trends 2025 report that was produced for Davos, drawing on responses from 2,500 business leaders.
In a year where the majority of respondents regard managing cost as more important than increasing revenue, more than three-quarters say they now believe that the benefits of sustainability initiatives outweigh the costs. Almost three-quarters are increasing investments in low-carbon technologies and more than 60% will increase nature and water-related investments.
All of which is fairly encouraging. It lends weight to the view that, notwithstanding rising populist and political antipathy in some countries, economic fundamentals, and heightened awareness of business risks from climate and nature-related exposures, are continuing to drive the sustainability agenda.