State of Sustainability 2026

The shift from fossil fuels to clean energy accelerated in 2025, with renewables crossing critical deployment and cost thresholds.

Global emissions plateaued but have not yet peaked decisively, while the carbon budget for 1.5 degrees C continues to shrink.

Carbon pricing coverage expanded while the voluntary carbon market rebuilt credibility through the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles.

Circularity rates remain low globally, but EPR frameworks are expanding rapidly and recycled content mandates are driving material innovation.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework entered its implementation phase, with 30x30 commitments driving new protected area designations.

Buildings account for 37% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, making decarbonization of the built environment a critical priority.

Food systems generate roughly one-third of global GHG emissions while feeding 8.1 billion people. Regenerative and precision agriculture offer scalable solutions.

Mandatory sustainability disclosure is now the norm in major economies, with the ISSB standards providing a global baseline.

As climate impacts intensify, adaptation finance and resilience planning are finally receiving proportionate attention from governments and investors.

AI is simultaneously accelerating climate solutions and creating a massive new source of energy demand, as data center power consumption surges past the electricity use of entire nations.

Transport decarbonization is accelerating through EV charging buildout and sustainable aviation fuel production, but cost premiums for green maritime and aviation fuels remain the central challenge.

Water stress is intensifying across every continent, driving rapid growth in desalination and water reuse technologies that offer drought-resilient supply at declining costs.

Scope 3 emissions represent 75% of a typical company's carbon footprint, yet fewer than half of reporting firms have set reduction targets, creating the largest gap between climate ambition and action.