Majority of Global Businesses Now Prioritize Climate and Water Risk Management Strategies

A Capgemini survey of 2,100 senior executives found that 87% of businesses have experienced climate-related supply chain disruptions, while 61% expect water scarcity to constrain growth more than energy scarcity within five years. Organizations are increasingly embedding climate resilience and resource management into core business strategy, with two-thirds reporting positive financial returns from sustainability investments. However, companies continue to struggle with implementation challenges, including fragmented data systems and delays in achieving net-zero commitments.

The Capgemini survey assessed responses from senior decision-makers representing over 700 organizations across multiple continents, revealing significant divergence between corporate climate ambitions and on-the-ground execution. Water scarcity has emerged as a more pressing concern than energy constraints for business continuity planning, with nearly two-thirds of respondents expecting supply constraints within five years. Financial performance appears aligned with sustainability efforts, with the majority reporting cost reductions and revenue gains alongside environmental objectives.

Implementation remains the critical bottleneck. Organizations cite fragmented information systems and fragmented oversight across global supply chains as persistent obstacles. Net-zero timelines have slipped for consecutive years, suggesting that translating strategic commitments into operational change requires capabilities that many enterprises have not yet developed. Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed to bridge these gaps, though its own resource demands warrant monitoring.