The latest CEO Study by the UN Global Compact and Accenture reveals a striking paradox. No less than 88% of CEOs say that sustainability delivers more business value today than ever before, and 99% plan to ramp up their investments. Yet, many leaders still feel unprepared, and many hesitate to share their progress publicly.

To better understand this tension, the 2025 CEO Study brings together insights from more than 1,900 CEOs across 128 countries. The report examines how leaders are trying to make the leap from sustainable ambition to concrete action.

Ambition vs. Reality

The findings come at a critical moment. While global climate goals are slipping further out of reach, only 35% of the SDG targets are currently on track. This widens the gap between what companies promise and what they actually deliver. The urgency is growing: businesses must now show that their ambitions translate into tangible results.

There is, however, reason for optimism. Despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, nearly every CEO surveyed says they plan to maintain, or even increase, their investments in sustainability. And it’s no longer just about reputation. More and more, companies are pursuing initiatives that generate measurable value for both business and society.

The real question is no longer whether companies want to become more sustainable, but how they can do so in a credible way. This study offers a clear roadmap, outlining five essential strategies to help sustainable leaders move from intent to meaningful action.

Five Key Strategies:

The Shift from Intention to Impact

Be part of the movement driving real sustainability

Join the leaders turning sustainability into action and discover five key strategies to help close readiness gaps, strengthen resilience, and translate bold ambitions into credible, practical action for the decade ahead.