Research from the ERM Sustainability Institute, GlobeScan, and Volans finds that sustainability experts believe the current approach to sustainability is not working. Ninety-three percent of experts say the sustainability agenda needs revision, while more than half of those surveyed (56 percent) call for a radical overhaul.

Government, private sector, and UN efforts disappoint

According to the Sustainability at a Crossroads report, the organizations driving the sustainability agenda are failing to deliver. National governments receive the lowest performance ratings for their contributions to sustainable development, with only five percent of respondents assessing their contributions positively.

The private sector fares only slightly better, with just 14 percent of respondents rating its performance positively. Confidence in the ability of the United Nations (UN) to drive progress is also in decline, with only 29 percent rating its performance positively (down 12 percentage points since 2021).

NGOs, while retaining relatively positive performance scores (45 percent), have experienced a significant decline of 16 points since 2021.

Sustainability backlash

Experts also point to increased resistance to the sustainability agenda. Seven in ten experts say there is significant backlash against the sustainability agenda, up 13 percentage points since 2024. In North America, 91 percent of respondents have experienced a significant backlash, although that figure drops to just 38 percent in Asia-Pacific.

Pathways to progress

To help guide the sustainability agenda over the next five years, the research evaluates actions and interventions based on their potential impact and feasibility.

When asked which corporate and business actions could lead to positive sustainability outcomes, technology innovation / R&D for sustainability solutions ranks highest (cited by 70 percent of experts), and more than half of respondents (51 percent) believe these actions are among the most feasible to implement.

Integration of sustainability within companies and circular economy practices are also not only believed to offer significant potential for positive impact (cited by 64 percent and 63 percent of experts, respectively) but also feature among those solutions considered likely to be implemented at scale.

Government and public policy actions rated as having the highest potential for significant positive sustainability outcomes include carbon pricing mechanisms (cited by 65 percent of experts), which also ranks highly for feasibility. In addition, urban planning and sustainable cities initiatives are believed to have high impact potential (cited by 63 percent) and top the list of government and public policy actions most likely to be implemented.

In the investor and capital market space, experts believe in the potential for significant positive outcomes of impact investing (cited by 73 percent), ESG integration into investment decisions (cited by 54 percent), and sustainable finance/green bonds (cited by 52 percent) and consider the likelihood of these solutions being implemented to be high.

Integration of natural, social, and human capital into financial accounting systems is also seen as a high-impact solution (cited by 62 percent) but ranks near the bottom of the list of solutions likely to be implemented.

When it comes to actions that civil society may lead on, education/capacity-building for sustainability leadership and advocacy for better government policies/regulations/enforcement are cited by the highest proportion of respondents (59 percent and 58 percent, respectively) as having potential for significant positive impact and are also rated among the most feasible actions.

Meanwhile, using the judicial system to push for change ranks high on impact (cited by 56 percent of experts) but low on feasibility (cited by 29 percent); conversely, NGO campaigns against poor sustainability performance top the list of feasible actions (cited by 42 percent) but rank among the lowest-scoring actions for their positive impact potential (cited by 28 percent).

Incumbents vs. Insurgents

To help leaders tailor strategies, foster dialogue, and build coalitions that drive progress, the research segments experts into four distinct mindsets within two camps called Incumbents and Insurgents. Incumbents are comprised of Traditionalists (42 percent of the sample) who are most aligned with the current sustainability agenda, and Institutionalists (nine percent) who believe in reform through improved governance, transparency, and accountability. Insurgents are made up of a reform-minded and optimistic group named Pathfinders (23 percent), alongside Radicals (26 percent) who champion bold, systemic interventions.

Bold leadership required

Mark Lee, Global Director of Thought Leadership at ERM, said: “The sustainability agenda is facing a critical moment, but this should not be seen as an existential crisis. Leaders can take the opportunity to pivot and make the bold strategic adjustments needed to deliver a just, low-carbon, and nature-positive transition. For those businesses that rise to the challenge, it will mean creating new markets that strengthen societies and economies at the same time as increasing business resilience.”  

Chris Coulter, CEO of GlobeScan, added: “The status quo is deemed untenable by the global sustainability community. The question then is – what next? This research gives us a starting roadmap toward 2030 by exploring 64 specific actions. We now have the opportunity to work together and focus our collective action on the most fruitful areas to accelerate progress.”

Volans founder John Elkington commented: “Sometimes you don’t see impending seismic changes unless you know what you’re looking for. The survey results herald a coming psychological earthquake in markets and business. The research confirms our long-held view at Volans that corporate sustainability strategies are no longer fit for purpose. This result represents a clear mandate for radical new approaches.”

Notes to editors

Sustainability at a Crossroads was jointly developed and fielded by GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans. The survey questioned 844 qualified, highly experienced sustainability experts across sectors and geographies and was conducted between April and May 2025.

About the ERM Sustainability Institute 

The Sustainability Institute is ERM’s primary platform for thought leadership. The purpose of the Institute is to define, accelerate, and scale sustainability performance by developing actionable insight for business. We provide an independent and authoritative voice to decode complexities. The Institute identifies innovative solutions to global sustainability challenges built on ERM’s experience, expertise, and commitment to transformational change. 

About ERM

Sustainability is our business.

As the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. This approach helps clients to accelerate the integration of sustainability at every level of their business.

With more than 50 years of experience, ERM’s diverse team of 8000+ experts in 40 countries and territories helps clients create innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges, unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. Learn more here.

About GlobeScan

GlobeScan is an insights and advisory firm specializing in trust, sustainability, and engagement.

We equip clients with insights to navigate shifting societal and stakeholder expectations, crafting evidence-based strategies that reduce risks and create value for their organizations and society. 

Established in 1987, we have offices in Cape Town, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, London, Paris, San Francisco, São Paulo, Singapore, and Toronto. GlobeScan is a participant of the UN Global Compact and a Certified B Corporation. 

Learn more here.

About Volans

Volans is a collective of experts at the forefront of regeneration, innovation, and systemic change. We’re here to find new paths and help pioneering business leaders make sense of an emergent future in the face of exponential planetary challenges. Volans became the first British company to certify as a B Corporation in 2013.