A major global survey of 750 chief executives undertaken by Accenture in partnership with the UN Global Compact initiative, revealed that far from falling down the corporate agenda during the recession, the low-carbon economy is now firmly ingrained as a high priority for business leaders.

The study revealed that 93% believe sustainability is critical to their company's future success. More than three quarters of the chief executives and chairmen interviewed said the recession had raised the profile of low-carbon initiatives, while the majority appointed the development of environmentally sustainable products and services as a way of driving revenue growth.

The main shift produced in chief executives' approach to sustainability issues since the poll was last carried out in 2007 is that the execution of sustainability strategies has moved from third or fourth on the list of priorities to the top.

The main motivation for sustainability has shifted from a desire to impress employees to a more commercially focused interest in generating revenue

The level of ambition in terms of sustainability is higher and it is being integrated into the core business. As a result CEOs recognise that they need to get the execution right.

According to the survey the main motivation for sustainability strategies has shifted from a desire to impress employees to a more commercially focused interest in generating revenue from green products and services.

There is consumer interest in sustainability that has not yet translated into buying power. But, CEOs believe that will change as products mature and government spending begins to drive the market. The survey revealed nothing short of the beginning of a "new era of sustainability" for the world's largest firms.

Peter Lacy, head of Accenture's sustainability services practice, said, "The CEOs we spoke to are looking at sustainability through an innovation lens and a market opportunity lens that just wasn't there three years ago. The next 10 years will see a fundamental shift in the way they do business."

Envido is a leading UK provider of energy, carbon and sustainability solutions for private and public sector organisations.

Our unique 'Opportunity-Technology-Change' solution covers carbon consultancy, programme management, and technology and behavioural change delivery that has already enabled our clients to save millions of £'s and CO2 through improved energy and carbon management.

Envido has a national reach, with headquarters in London, and regional offices in Birmingham, Manchester and Ipswich. We work with over 180 organisations across the UK. Our clients include
some of the largest private companies in the UK, as well as government entities, educational institutions and other companies across all industries, such as CNN/Turner Broadcasting, Investec, Eversheds, University of Brighton, NHS and more.

Visit our website www.envido.co.uk for more information.

Envido

Envido

Envido is a leading UK provider of energy, carbon and sustainability solutions for private and public sector organisations. Our unique 'Opportunity-Technology-Change' solution covers carbon consultancy, programme management, and technology and behavioural change delivery that has already enabled our clients to save millions of £'s and CO2 through improved energy and carbon management. We have examples where clients have made energy savings of greater than 20%. If you want to get the most out of your energy and carbon reduction journey then Envido is the ideal partner. Contact us today for a free consultation. To learn more about Envido's energy, carbon and sustainability solutions, visit: www.envido.co.uk

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