The state of sustainability has been a much-discussed topic since 2024. We’ve seen contractions in some areas and expansions in others. In the midst of this disorienting back-and-forth, it can be hard to tell up from down. Deloitte’s new 2026 C-suite Sustainability Report offers up a new conundrum. Company sustainability investments are up, but the total number of initiatives companies are pursuing is down.
Looking at the first piece, the survey indicates that companies are spending more on sustainability, and that C-suite leaders recognize the business value sustainability creates:
“78% [of respondents] have increased sustainability investments in the last year. 83% agree sustainability initiatives create competitive advantage for their organization.”
However, the survey also reports that the average number of sustainability initiatives undertaken by companies is significantly down:
“In 2026, respondents report undertaking an average of 3.4 sustainability initiatives out of 12 options, down from 5.0 out of 12 the year prior. Nearly 60% report undertaking exactly three initiatives, while only 14% report undertaking five or more”
So how do we reconcile these two positions? The survey’s analysis suggests that these metrics indicate an evolution in sustainability. Companies are pursuing fewer initiatives, leading to more focused efforts backed by stronger funding. In short, company efforts are growing deeper and growing narrower.
While these data points seem contradictory, the rationale makes sense. Doing a few things well is almost always better than doing many things poorly. The fact that sustainability investments are up shows that there is a sustained interest in sustainability. After years of effort, leadership is seeing ESG’s value, both tangible and intangible. These continued and increasing financial commitments indicate that companies recognize the business value of sustainability and are reaping strategic benefits.
Our members can learn more about ESG business value here.
