Net Zero or Not Quite?
Corporate Net Zero Commitment
Recent data reveals a concerning slowdown in corporate momentum toward net zero, despite continued support for climate action. According to the BSI Net Zero Barometer (July 2025), UK business confidence in achieving net zero by 2050 has dropped sharply—from 76% in 2024 to just 55% this year. Meanwhile, the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Corporate Health Check (January 2025) found that a significant portion of companies remain in the “Falling Behind” category, marked by limited emissions disclosure and weak governance structures.
While ambition remains high, actual progress is uneven. Many organizations are reassessing their strategies in response to economic pressures and evolving policy landscapes. The most credible corporate efforts now hinge on three critical factors:
Transparent, full-scope emissions reporting
Sector-specific transition targets
Integration of climate goals into core business models
What Does Climate Science Reveal?
The science is unequivocal. In its landmark 2018 report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned of the devastating consequences of global warming reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. These include the loss of Arctic ice sheets, rising sea levels, warming oceans, biodiversity collapse, and more frequent and severe extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, droughts, storms, and flooding. These disruptions threaten food security, livelihoods, infrastructure, and human life.
Human-induced warming is currently increasing global temperatures by approximately 0.2°C per decade. At this rate, the 1.5°C threshold could be breached as early as 2030. To have a better than 50% chance of avoiding catastrophic climate disruption, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be halved by 2030 (relative to 2010 levels) and reach net zero by around 2050.
Yet the gap between national climate pledges—known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—and the reductions needed to meet the 1.5°C goal continues to widen. Based on current commitments, the world is on track for a temperature rise of approximately 2.8°C, with actual outcomes likely higher due to inconsistent implementation.
Businesses are uniquely positioned to close the emissions gap. With their capacity for innovation, resource mobilization, and influence across industries and supply chains, companies are critical agents of change. The next decade—equivalent to two business cycles—will be decisive. Corporate leadership must drive the transition, not only to protect stakeholders but also to support the broader societal shift toward climate resilience.
Net Zero Essential Building Blocks
PwC has identified nine foundational pillars for credible, scalable decarbonization:
Ambition – Set bold, science-aligned targets that reflect the urgency of the climate crisis.
Governance – Ensure accountability starts at the top, with leadership driving climate commitments.
Strategy – Integrate net zero into core business strategy as a driver of growth and resilience.
Enterprise – Redesign operating models to support low-carbon transformation across all functions.
Supply Chains – Build resilient, net zero-aligned procurement and logistics systems.
Innovation – Invest in technologies and solutions that accelerate emissions reduction.
Finance – Mobilize capital to fund the transition through sustainable finance mechanisms.
Transparency – Communicate progress openly to build trust and accountability.
Engagement – Collaborate across sectors and stakeholders to scale impact and drive momentum.
Turn Your ESG Strategy into Action with Future Trust Consulting
At Future Trust Consulting, we partner with service-based SMEs to embed sustainability into everyday operations—making ESG both measurable and meaningful. Our tailored support includes:
Identifying relevant sustainability KPIs and calculating corporate and product-level emissions baselines
Quantifying reduction potential and designing actionable measures to meet ESG and sustainability targets
Integrating ESG requirements into business processes, including governance frameworks and internal guidelines
Equipping teams with tools for data collection, performance tracking, and transparent reporting
Whether you're responding to client expectations or preparing for regulatory shifts, we help you build ESG into the fabric of your business—turning strategy into impact.
