Lead the change: Pushing past roadblocks to drive sustainable business transformation in Europe

Our new joint study with IMD explores how businesses can move past roadblocks while leveraging drivers and accelerators for fast-tracking business transformation and sustainability success

Despite widespread commitment to sustainability, businesses are facing challenges in turning ambitious goals into impactful actions. Key hurdles include fragmented visions, an overemphasis on risk and compliance, misalignment between leadership and middle management, limited scalability, and a disconnect between sustainability objectives and resource allocation.

Recognizing the complexities and multidimensionality of sustainability, Capgemini Invent partnered with IMD, a globally renowned academic institution, to explore how organizations are navigating their sustainability journey. Through in-depth interviews with 91 senior executives across 11 industries within the EU/EEA, the research blends quantitative data with qualitative insights, to explore the ‘how’ of an ideal sustainable business transformation. The whitepaper examines not only roadblocks and drivers, but also practical steps businesses are taking to integrate sustainability into organizational DNA.

“With the ever-increasing importance of sustainability to businesses, often the path ahead is unclear. Despite ambitious sustainability commitments, businesses may struggle to transform without leveraging necessary drivers and accelerators. Holistic sustainability integration can lead organizations to be better positioned to face challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.”

Ozlem Bozyurt, Senior Director, Global Invent Sustainability Lead, Capgemini Invent

Our paper found that less than half of the surveyed European companies are confident in their ability to meet net-zero targets. Challenges such as fragmented vision, risk-focused compliance, and execution paralysis continue to hinder successful business transformation . But the path forward is clear. Visionary leadership, opportunity-driven strategies, and CFO-aligned financial frameworks are key enablers to overcoming these obstacles.

Furthermore, in today’s eco-digital era, integrating digital technologies with sustainability initiatives is essential for driving digital business transformation. This transformation accelerates progress, foster innovation, and unlock ecosystem opportunities. The paper delves into tangible case studies, showcasing how leading organizations such as Siemens, Bayer, and Decathlon are overcoming challenges and successfully accelerating their sustainability journeys.