CEOs adjust net zero timescales and investment in bid to balance commerciality and sustainability

CEOs adjust net zero timescales and investment in bid to balance commerciality and sustainability

New research has revealed CEOs across key European countries are shifting timescales and investment around net zero goals as companies continue to grapple with balancing profitability and sustainability in a volatile energy market.

The survey of 400 CEOs in charge of companies with turnover above €200m from across the UK, Germany, France and Italy – commissioned by energy solutions specialist, Aggreko – revealed the majority of respondents (95%) have changed their net zero timescales in light of energy supply and pricing issues.

As other pressures face leaders, only 12% of respondents claimed that speed of decarbonisation was their top priority, with most claiming reducing energy costs and delivering commercial advantage were among the top priorities.

The research – presented in Aggreko’s latest report Rebalancing the Energy Transition – has also revealed that intention to invest in energy transitions is still present, with 80% expecting to increase investment in the next 12 months. However, as balancing cost and commercial viability with ESG goals continues to pose a challenge, most investment increase will only be marginal.

With access to finance being a challenge, Aggreko is raising the need for companies to lean on their supply chains to help meet the requirements of the energy transition in the timescales needed – all while balancing profitability with ESG goals. The company has launched this latest report to give leaders insights for navigating the energy transition into the future.

Figure 1 from Aggreko’s report, Rebalancing the Energy Transition
Figure 4 from Aggreko’s report, Rebalancing the Energy Transition

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