Sustainability in Action 2026

From ambition to accountability

“With increasing regulatory and market pressures across the sustainability space, demand for transparency among organizations is huge. Companies are under growing pressure to prove that their sustainability efforts translate into real, measurable business resilience.

In the quest to achieve it, data has become a critical asset, but outdated and inadequate technology can hold back those efforts. Without trusted, joined-up data, even the strongest sustainability strategies struggle to convert into defensible, financial-grade performance.

Sweep & Capgemini polled 1,000 sustainability leaders across five sectors and six markets about their sustainability management. Here’s what we found.”

Rachel Delacour, the CEO of Sweep, is leaning against a red wall inside a building. She has short dark brown hair and is wearing a white jacket and jeans.

The survey

1,000+

senior leaders, including CSOs, CFOs, CDOs and Chief AI Officers

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sectors: energy, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and transportation

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markets: US, UK, France, DACH and the Nordics

Our key findings

Climate disruption is costing companies now, and the data can't keep up

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of businesses report climate-related financial losses over the past two years, but 79% say their data isn't sufficient to inform strategy

Fragmented data is the biggest thing standing between leaders and climate action

Top barriers to sustainability data infrastructure, as reported by senior leaders:

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Limited system integration

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Scaling across geographies

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Incomplete Scope 3 or supplier data

The data may be behind, but the returns are already here

Share of leaders reporting measurable ROI today, by area:

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from better procurement and supply chain efficiency

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from reduced regulatory and compliance costs

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from improved risk management

“Sustainability is being reframed and the conversation has shifted from reporting to resilience. As supply chains face growing pressure from climate, geopolitical, and economic disruption, organizations need visibility, trust, and speed in their decision-making.

AI can deliver that advantage, but only when it is built on a foundation of connected and reliable data across the value chain.”