What will the year ahead bring in terms of environmental economics and organisational priorities? Without a crystal ball to hand, we asked one of Europe’s most influential strategy and transformation experts.
It’s impossible to see the future, and almost as hard to predict it. But, thankfully, some people are better at gauging emerging trends. And which of those trends will culminate in a full-blown tidal wave of cross sector change.
Rory Burghes leads Capgemini Invent UK’s Sustainable Futures department, overseeing a team tasked with helping clients reach sustainability targets and realise overarching strategies. As such he’s perfectly placed to give us some insight into the big ideas that will define sustainability in 2026. So, without further ado.
The era of authenticity
Performative messaging is out, radical transparency is in.
Executives are realising that sustainability is no longer a branding exercise – it’s a commercial imperative. Organisations are increasingly embracing transparency, openly acknowledging where progress falls short and, in some cases, even admitting their targets may be out of reach.
Along with increased sustainability investment and steadfast climate commitment, we’ll see an increase in detailed transition plans with capital allocation. In the UK, for example, firms are increasingly expected to disclose science-based interim targets and transition plans aligned with frameworks such as the government’s new guidance on sustainability reporting.
The emphasis will be on ‘progress over perfection’: demonstrating real, measurable steps toward a more sustainable future, even if the journey is imperfect or the targets are more pragmatic.
Sustainability as a business imperative
The business case for sustainability will go from strength to strength in 2026. UK C-suites are increasingly viewing it less as a moral obligation and more as a strategic fundamental. Our research shows that most executives now cite value creation – profitability, efficiency, and cost savings – as a key reason for sustainability investments.
New revenue streams and cost optimisation opportunities are emerging, and those with a focus on long-term strategy over short-term survival are best positioned to reap the rewards. Where climate turbulence was once a drain on resources and a barrier to innovation, businesses that invest in foresight, data, and adaptation measures can turn disruption into a source of strength. Trends such as nearshoring and flexible supply chains are leading the way in helping companies embed resilience at the heart of their business.
The shift towards greener data centres
With AI demand continuing to surge, greening the data centres that power it is more urgent than ever. The UK already hosts around 523 existing data centres – the third highest globally – and their electricity demand is set to increase significantly.
In response, we’ll see a major shift toward circular design, where waste becomes a resource, and heat reuse moves from pilot projects to mainstream practice. Solutions such as immersion cooling, waterless systems, and retrofitting existing buildings into data centres are already gaining traction.
We’ve already seen AI’s environmental footprint prompt greater caution this year, and that trend will accelerate in 2026. The focus will move beyond efficiency metrics toward holistic sustainability, where every aspect of data centre design, from construction materials to energy sourcing and heat recovery, is viewed through the lens of energy and water use.
Adaptation becomes the norm
In 2026, climate adaptation will shift from a contingency plan to a core business strategy. Faced with volatile markets and more frequent extreme weather, UK organisations will invest heavily in scenario planning to anticipate disruption and build supply chain resilience.
Added urgency comes from the fact that the UK remains underprepared for this reality. Millions of properties across the country are already at risk of flooding, and that number could rise to about 8 million by 2050 according to the Climate Change Committee’s study from earlier this year.
Many executives already foresee challenges in managing insurance exposure, financial risk, and maintaining operations amid this rising climate volatility. AI will play a key role here, with its predictive capabilities helping businesses forecast environmental impacts, identify weak points in supply chains, and model the cascading effects of climate events before they happen.
Sustainability becomes a growth strategy
In 2026, sustainability will no longer be viewed as a cost centre – it will be recognised as a driver of business value. Organisations across UK industries are learning that what’s good for the planet can also be good for profit, with sustainability efforts delivering tangible returns through cost savings, operational efficiency, and brand differentiation.
From FTSE-listed manufacturers investing in clean energy and resource efficiency to UK retailers optimising logistics through circular-economy models, measurable savings are already being realised. In sectors from telecoms to construction, sustainable innovation is driving margin expansion and competitive advantage.
In the public sector, too, sustainability investments are paying dividends – from energy-efficient buildings and water reuse systems to climate-resilient infrastructure that reduces long-term operating costs. As the UK moves towards a low-carbon economy, sustainability is fast becoming synonymous with growth.
Designing AI with Sustainability in Mind
As AI becomes integral to enterprise transformation, 2026 will mark a pivotal shift toward designing AI systems that are, where possible, sustainable by design. Business will be looking to move from reactive mitigation to proactive integration of sustainability principles when they come to develop AI.
Leaders in the upcoming year who want to explore emerging technologies responsible will be those who embed sustainability into AI from the outset, choosing energy-efficient models, designing for scale, and fostering ecosystem-wide collaboration.
Image: Google DeepMind / Unsplash
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