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Reimagining the Agenda

Unlocking the Global Pathways to Resilience, Growth, and Sustainability for 2030.

Overview

The latest United Nations Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study on Sustainability provides perspectives and a resolute call to action from a record 2,600+ CEOs across 128 countries and 18 industries.

CEOs say they see integrated sustainability as the foundation to protect against instability. Strategies and business models with sustainability at the core are not only a climate imperative, but also the foundation of security, growth, and resilience.

With clear urgency, this report explores the myriad of challenges business leaders face today, and the opportunity surrounding sustainability as the path forward.

Key Findings

  • CEOs report the dramatic rise in intersecting global challenges is forcing them to navigate new levels of uncertainty.
  • While CEOs remain committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they’re sounding the alarm that more action is needed to rescue the goals.
  • CEOs are building resilience by embedding sustainability across their business, strengthening leadership and increasing ecosystem collaboration.
  • To remove barriers on taking action, CEOs are calling for a new roadmap to achieve the SDGs and asking government to accelerate the green transition.

“Not meeting the SDGs is a real concern. It’s also an enormous opportunity for companies that reinvent their enterprises and harness sustainability as one of the key forces of change in the next decade—using technology and innovation to drive growth.”

— PETER LACY, Global Sustainability Services Lead and Chief Responsibility Officer – Accenture

Global sustainability agenda is off track

CEOs are dealing with a slate of global challenges, many of which are not traditionally business related.

Geopolitical instability and the climate crisis are compounding the effects of these global challenges.

Biodiversity protection remains low on the private sector agenda, yet consequences could be drastic. 

CEOs feel this may risk efforts to achieve the SDGs.

83% of CEOs feel that current levels of geopolitical instability limit the world’s ability to achieve the SDGs.

Industry deep dive

Click below to get a detailed current and forward-looking view of your industry.

View your industry

Agriculture

Climate change, resource scarcity, and land deterioration, coupled with an increase in demand due to a rising population, creates a challenging environment for agriculture CEOs to provide affordable, high-quality food for a growing world. Factors such as supply chain disruptions and price volatility, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, are compounding the pressure, highlighting the need for a fundamental transformation of the global food system.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Climate
    change

  • 2

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 3

    Trade
    regulation

Current landscape

  • 81
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are enhancing sustainability data collection capabilities across their value chains
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Regenerative agriculture practices (75% high impact)

Seed technology (71% high impact)

Digital agriculture (67% high impact)

Advanced aquaculture (52% high impact)

Controlled environment agriculture (35% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Agriculture REPORT

Automotive

Global decarbonization efforts, fueled by climate change concerns and fuel price changes, are shaping the long-term outlook for the automotive industry. While companies are struggling with logistics in the short term, including price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and infrastructure needs, they remain committed to trends like electrification and circular product management to unlock the green transition.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 78
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 76
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 69
    %
    of CEOs are enhancing sustainability data collection capabilities

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Electrification (64% high impact)

Circular vehicle lifecycle management (63% high impact)

Software-connected vehicles (58% high impact)

Real-time supply chain data management (51% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Automotive REPORT

Chemicals

As a large emitter of greenhouse gases, the chemical industry is facing intense pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. At the same time, as an energy-intensive industry, it is disproportionately impacted by the volatility in the energy and resources markets. CEOs are, therefore, looking to sustainable business models and materials as a resilience booster and growth path.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Trade
    regulation

  • 3

    Climate
    change

Current landscape

  • 79
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships
  • 69
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Emerging fossil fuel alternatives to power chemical processes (58% high impact)

Advanced recycling (57% high impact)

Shift toward circular business models of production to limit virgin inputs (52% high impact)

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) (46% high impact)

Biodegradable materials (35% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Chemicals REPORT

Communications & Media

The shift to digital has placed the communications & media industry under severe stress. To address the rise in demand, CEOs are investing heavily in building resilient and efficient infrastructure, as well as fostering a strong workforce and underlying governance to be able to provide affordable, equitable access to all.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 77
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 76
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 75
    %
    of CEOs are launching new product and service offerings for sustainability

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Cloud-native cybersecurity (54% high impact)

Virtualized, cloud-native communications infrastructure (52% high impact)

Resources for responsible media consumption (48% high impact)

Information validation to protect against misinformation (47% high impact)

Circular economy principles and responsible resource management (40% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Communications & Media REPORT

Construction & Materials

As one of the greatest consumers of raw materials globally, as well as a major carbon emitter, the construction & materials industry is radically altering their business models, from the materials they use to the design of the buildings. Material shortages and price volatility, coupled with stakeholder pressure, are incentivizing a sustainable revolution within the industry.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 77
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor marketof
  • 71
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 63
    %
    of CEOs are strengthening scenario planning and analysis capabilities

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Innovative low-carbon materials (62% high impact)

Distributed renewable energy generation (58% high impact)

Use of modular components designed for circularity (48% high impact)

Water conservation appliances and systems (45% high impact)

Sensors and analytics to monitor building occupancy for operational efficiency (44% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Construction & Materials REPORT

Consumer Packaged Goods

With consumer pressure putting sustainability front and center for the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and retail industries, CEOs are increasingly looking to launch new sustainable products and offerings to increase competitiveness. Paired with supply chain disruptions, which are creating resource instability and price fluctuations, the concept of circularity is becoming increasingly viable and attractive for both sectors to build resilience and embrace sustainability.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Threats to
    public health

  • 3

    Trade
    regulation

Current landscape

  • 72
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 70
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 64
    %
    of CEOs are launching new product and/ or service offerings for sustainability

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Circular business models (55% high impact)

Product-level ESG data to follow for end-to-end supply chain traceability (43% high impact)

Data integration across value chain partners (37% high impact)

AI and predictive analytics to efficiently drive merchandising and production decisions (27% high impact)

Dynamic, real-time inventory management (26% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD CPG & RETAIL REPORT

Retail

With consumer pressure putting sustainability front and center for the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and retail industries, CEOs are increasingly looking to launch new sustainable products and offerings to increase competitiveness. Paired with supply chain disruptions, which are creating resource instability and price fluctuations, the concept of circularity is becoming increasingly viable and attractive for both sectors to build resilience and embrace sustainability.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Trade
    regulation

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 81
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 78
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 75
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Sustainable and refillable packaging practices (45% high impact)

End-to-end carbon calculators to help manage and report Scope 3 emissions with suppliers (45% high impact)

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to efficiently drive merchandising and production decisions (44% high impact)

Bio-based materials derived from waste by products (44% high impact)

Product-level ESG data to allow for end-to-end supply chain traceability (39% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD CPG & RETAIL REPORT

Energy

The energy industry is enduring massive disruption, with the pandemic and the war in Ukraine triggering spikes in energy prices and threatening the security of supply. This disruption presents a unique opportunity for CEOs to accelerate their adoption of low-carbon fuels, invest in innovations to decarbonize, and expand energy access and equity.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Climate
    change

  • 3

    Trade
    regulation

Current landscape

  • 75
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 71
    %
    of CEOs are investing in renewable energy sources to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Renewable energy (77% high impact)

Energy storage and battery technology (69% high impact)

Interconnected power girds (61% high impact)

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (51% high impact)

Hydrogen fuel (46% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD energy REPORT

Financial Services

CEOs in the financial services sector are in a unique position to drive sustainability action, as they have the power and capital to fuel progress on global sustainability goals, which are often hindered by a lack of access to finance. While significant progress has been made in deploying capital for sustainability progress, it is not uniform and is largely yet to reach the Global South.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Cybercrime

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 75
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 74
    %
    of CEOs are launching new product and service offerings for sustainability
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Real-time portfolio risk analysis (40% high impact)

Standards to assess the risk profile of private companies (39% high impact)

Learning platforms for ESG upskilling (35% high impact)

Artificial intelligence – empowered scenario analysis to mitigate climate risk (31% high impact)

Impact underwriting (26% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Financial Services REPORT

Health

The healthcare and life sciences (LS) industries are undergoing a period of compressed transformation, driven by the global pandemic. In health, these changes focus on a more resilient, equitable healthcare system, that provide access to all. The LS industry is focused on technology-enabled drug discovery and development that provides better health outcomes and relieves pressure on the global healthcare infrastructure.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Threats to
    public health

  • 2

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 3

    Talent
    scarcity

Current landscape

  • 76
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships
  • 71
    %
    of CEOs are strengthening scenario planning and analysis capabilities

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Digital health services delivery (63% high impact)

Artificial intelligence to transform precision medicine and diagnosis (52% high impact)

Augmented and virtual reality enabled health services or patient care services (43% high impact)

Machine learning for epidemic/pandemic modeling (42% high impact)

Artificial intelligence-enabled real time staffing and inventory monitoring (31% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Health & Life Sciences REPORT

Life Sciences

The healthcare and life sciences (LS) industries are undergoing a period of compressed transformation, driven by the global pandemic. In health, these changes focus on a more resilient, equitable healthcare system, that provide access to all. The LS industry is focused on technology-enabled drug discovery and development that provides better health outcomes and relieves pressure on the global healthcare infrastructure.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Threats to
    public health

  • 2

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 3

    Talent
    scarcity

Current landscape

  • 81
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 77
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 74
    %
    of CEOs are enhancing sustainability data collection capabilities across our value chain

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Artificial intelligence to transform precision medicine (48% high impact)

Biosynthetic drug production (42% high impact)

Machine learning to optimize drug candidate design (42% high impact)

Artificial intelligence for efficient clinical trials (39% high impact)

Ecosystem regeneration to protect nature-based drug ingredients (39% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Health & Life Sciences REPORT

High Tech

High tech CEOs face ongoing supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressure, trade wars, and geopolitical conflicts impacting profitability and business operations. In response, CEOs plan to decouple their business from volatile regions by re-networking supply chains, doubling down on talent and focusing on raw material procurement to strengthen their business resiliency.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 2

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 80
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 74
    %
    CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 68
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

R&D to identify substitutes for existing material inputs (46% high impact)

Development of recyclable components in products (43% high impact)

Real-time supply chain data management (41% high impact)

Circular business models (39% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD high tech REPORT

Industrial

Inflation, supply chain instability spurred by the pandemic, and increasing consumption of technology products have converged in the industrial sector to create a difficult, volatile operating environment. To weather the storm, CEOs are turning to sustainable business models powered by strong sustainability talent and responsible supply chain practices.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 75
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 70
    %
    CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 60
    %
    of CEOs are launching new product and service offerings

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Sustainable products design (57% high impact)

Circular business models (48% high impact)

R&D to identify new sources for sustainable material inputs (48% high impact)

Low-or-no waste production processes (47% high impact)

Concentrated renewables for heavy industrial manufacturing (37% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Industrial REPORT

Natural Resources

The natural resources industry is facing a massive transformation – once a historically human-intensive industry, the industry is now rapidly embracing technology. The adoption of drones, robotics, and data analytics are radically changing the way the industry can manage raw materials in real time.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Climate
    change

  • 3

    Biodiversity
    loss

Current landscape

  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships
  • 66
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 66
    %
    of CEOs are strengthening scenario planning and analysis capabilities

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Ecosystem restoration (68% high impact)

Circular business models of production to limit material extraction (53% high impact)

Real-time supply chain data ecosystem health (38% high impact)

Digital modeling of ecosystem health (33% high impact)

Precision factory (33% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Natural Resources REPORT

Software & Platforms

While the software and platforms industry drives a more efficient, interconnected market, CEOs are looking to raise their ambition and lead in sustainability and security. Protecting the world’s data, using it responsibly, and doing so in a climate-friendly manner will define whether the software and platforms industry can continue to deliver the outsized returns it has generated over the last two decades.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 2

    Cybercrime

  • 3

    Lack of
    relevant skills

Current landscape

  • 77
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 68
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Cloud computing and data architecture (71% high impact)

Cloud-native cybersecurity (63% high impact)

Data integration across value chain partners (56% high impact)

Digital tools for management of sustainability data (54% high impact)

Low-carbon data centers (40% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Software & Platforms REPORT

Support Services

As industries across the world struggle with the results of the pandemic, economic volatility, and geopolitical tensions, support services CEOs are focusing on building resilient workforces and leveraging the power of technology to meet the ever-changing needs of their clients.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 74
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market
  • 73
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 67
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Cloud computing (48% high impact)

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics for risk planning (40% high impact)

Virtual reality enabled collaboration spaces (30% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Support Services REPORT

Travel

With shutdowns and travel restrictions, the travel industry has been one of the hardest hit by the impacts of the pandemic. As travel bounces back, the industry is struggling to keep up with increased demand for domestic and international travel as it builds up its staff and faces increasing operating costs for labor and energy. Travel CEOs are embracing sustainable business models as they rebuild, focusing heavily on renewables and circular models to transform the future of the industry.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Threats to
    public health

  • 2

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 3

    Talent
    scarcity

Current landscape

  • 80
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 74
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships
  • 71
    %
    of CEOs are upskilling or reskilling their workforce for the future labor market

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Renewable energy (83% high impact)

Circular business models (74% high impact)

Sustainable aviation fuel (63% high impact)

Alternative propulsion (62% high impact)

Biometrics to facilitate contactless interactions (32% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Travel REPORT

Utilities

The utility industry must continue to deliver on its obligation to serve – ensuring reliability of basic resources, such as water and electricity, at an affordable rate – while facing new challenges, such as climate change and decarbonization pressure, which have quickly risen to the top of CEO agendas. A radical transformation to a modern, more flexible grid is imperative to support a clean energy future.

The most pressing challenges

  • 1

    Inflation &
    Price volatility

  • 2

    Talent
    scarcity

  • 3

    Threats to
    public health

Current landscape

  • 69
    %
    of CEOs are digitizing business processes
  • 69
    %
    of CEOs are offering physical/mental resources to their workforce
  • 64
    %
    of CEOs are engaging in long-term strategic partnerships

Transformative innovations (Top 5)

Renewables (56% high impact)

Battery efficiency improvements (46% high impact)

Smart-grid technologies (43% high impact)

Interconnected grids (cross-country) (34% high impact)

Underground power lines (13% high impact)

  • High impact
  • Moderate impact

Where is the industry going?

DOWNLOAD Utilities REPORT

Sustainability is the core of resilience

The business case for sustainability is clear – and CEOs are ready to act. They are embracing sustainability as the foundation to build resilience and identify new opportunities for growth.

Embedding Sustainability

CEOs are reimagining their supply chain, looking to increase visibility and decarbonize, to build resilience in the face of global uncertainty.

CEOs recognize their workforce as a crucial lever of resilience. They are looking to attract diverse talent while upskilling and reskilling their workforce to support the just transition.

As CEOs take on more responsibility and lead the charge for a sustainability future, they look to stakeholders such as governments to assist them on this journey.

Resilience ingredients for CEOs

Companies that embrace sustainability at their core can chart the course for a more resilient, competitive future. This includes pursuing 15 key actions highlighted, driven by technology, with sustainability at heart.

Adopt sustainable business models

Establish ambitious, science-based climate targets

Adopt a nature-positive business strategy

Include ESG impacts in investment decisions

Invest in the mental and physical health of employees

Build and engage a representative workforce

Upskill and/or reskill your workforce for the green transition

Align leadership incentives to sustainability—based on values and outcomes

Advance the collection of standardized, high-quality data

Enhance supply chain visibility and engagement

Apply analytics-driven scenario planning in business processes

Embed sustainability criteria into Research & Development

Accelerate adoption of renewable energy to secure your energy supply

Engage in strategic partnerships

Advocate for strong sustainability and resilience policy

CEOs' asks of policymakers

To maximize impact by 2030, businesses are calling on governments to provide clear direction, and support and enable the private sector to achieve ambitious sustainability targets. This includes 10 critical policy actions:

Align NDCs at 1.5°c

Cooperate on carbon pricing

Realize a biodiversity framework

Action on adaptation financing

Align regulatory systems to foster innovation

Standardize ESG reporting frameworks

Enable the circular economy

Invest in sustainable basic infrastructure

Support policy for a just transition

Provide education and financing for SMEs

Meet the team

Peter Lacy

Global Sustainability Services Lead & Chief Responsibility Officer
LinkedIn

Michael D. Hughes

Senior Manager – Sustainability Services & UN Programs Lead
LinkedIn

Emilia Hull

Manager – Sustainability Services & CEO Study Lead
LinkedIn

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