The top sustainability developments of 2025, according to practitioners

While this year brought plenty of setbacks for sustainability, new research shows what developments nearly 400 global sustainability experts thought had the most positive impact on the sustainability agenda in 2025.

According to a survey from Trellis data partner GlobeScan and ERM, legislation remains the most significant driver of progress, cited by 18 percent of experts, although its perceived importance has declined compared to 2024, when it was cited by 33 percent of experts. Regulatory action continues to set the pace for change, creating frameworks that drive accountability and progress.

Experts also point to renewables and low-carbon technologies (14 percent) and climate and nature-based solutions (13 percent) as critical forces accelerating momentum. Sustainability disclosure standards, in contrast, have seen a notable decline in influence compared to last year (down to 12 percent compared to 19 percent in 2024), signaling a shift toward implementation and tangible outcomes. 

What this means

The sustainability transition is still underway, even amid backlash. While it’s slowed somewhat, legislative momentum continues to shape priorities, making it critical for organizations to integrate policy trends into strategy. Renewable energy and low-carbon technologies are creating cost advantages and accelerating decarbonization, while nature-based solutions are no longer peripheral but now essential for climate resilience and carbon removal. These are key levers of progress as companies strive to make sustainability a core driver of business and focus on tangible actions and impact.

Based on a survey of 391 sustainability experts across 57 countries conducted between August-October 2025.