Climate-related disruption has caused financial losses for organisations over the past two years according to 94% of senior business leaders, with 30% reporting setbacks of over £738,000, according to a report by Sweep and Capgemini. However, more than three quarters (79%) say their sustainability data is insufficient to accurately inform wider business strategy as it has not yet been properly integrated across the organisation.

The figures are from Sustainability in Action 2026, which polled 1,000 senior business leaders across the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the DACH region and the Nordics. It shows that climate disruption is already having a direct commercial impact on most companies, while the data required to understand and address issues head-on remains siloed in business systems, left incomplete or lacking standardisation. Only one in five respondents reported minimal financial impact below £74,000.

Rachel Delacour, co-founder and CEO of Sweep, said: “Sustainability has not fallen off the business agenda, in fact the opposite is true. There is a growing risk to companies as climate disruption and geopolitical tensions continue to impact supply chains, costs and investment decisions faster than the data systems built to help manage them.”

Despite these challenges, companies remain convinced that sustainability is commercially important. 85% of respondents say their business must transform for the low-carbon economy, and 86% view that transition as a growth opportunity rather than an inhibitor. Despite this, the quality of the sustainability data underpinning those decisions appears to be degrading. In 2024, over half (53%) of respondents claimed their data lacked the reliability needed to inform business strategy, compared to 79% this year.

The report suggests companies are increasingly using sustainability data to make decisions on cost, risk mitigation, supply chains, procurement and investment strategy. Eight in ten (79%) respondents say AI adoption has increased investment in sustainability, with benefits including greater access to investment, improved data accuracy and audit-readiness, and reduced time spent on data collection and processing.

Cyril Garcia, global head of sustainability services, corporate responsibility and member of the group executive board at Capgemini, said: “Resilience is no longer just about managing risk. It is about anticipating disruption and acting with confidence. Trusted, connected data across the value chain is the foundation that enables AI to improve supply chain performance, advance sustainability outcomes, and create sustained competitive advantage for organisations.”

---