8 in 10 businesses are improving sustainability

The survey was conducted among businesses in manufacturing, in automotive and retail trade and in services. Nearly 39 percent of the companies said they had taken a combination of measures relating to energy, emissions or the circular economy. Close to 20 percent have mainly improved sustainability in the field of energy. Measures relating to the circular economy (14 percent) and emissions (6 percent) are cited less frequently. Twenty-one percent of the companies have not made their operations more sustainable this year.

Businesses active in transportation and storage and in renting/leasing and other business services are more likely to indicate that they are working on their emissions this year compared to the other sectors. For businesses in real estate activities and in culture, sports and recreation, this applies to energy measures. In accommodation and food services, circular measures have been more important.

Dependence on third parties may hinder sustainability

For almost a quarter of entrepreneurs, dependence on third parties is the main obstacle to making operations more sustainable. Nearly 13 percent report a lack of financial resources as the main obstacle. For an almost equally large group (12 percent), sustainability has too few benefits. On the other hand, more than 3 in 10 businesses experience no obstacles in their sustainability efforts.

Businesses in accommodation and food services and in culture, sports and recreation are more likely than other sectors to cite a lack of financial resources as the main obstacle. Companies active in transportation and storage and in real estate activities mention dependence on third parties more frequently as the main barrier.

A third consider operations largely or entirely sustainable

One third of the companies see their operations as largely or completely sustainable. Nearly half say their business operates partially sustainable and 15 percent think their business is sustainable to a small degree. The results do not imply that all economic activities are equally sustainable. For example, companies are more likely to compare their performance to standards, peer companies or sustainability opportunities within their sector than to compare themselves to (more sustainable) other sectors.