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.