RESEARCH REPORT
Destination net zero 2025
5-MINUTE READ
November 11, 2025
In brief
- Nearly 90% of the world’s 4000 largest companies (G4000) are connecting decarbonization efforts to business value.
- One third of the G4000, and 41% of the G2000 (the largest 2000 companies) have now set full net zero targets covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
- 13 of 21 decarbonization levers are adopted by more than half of the G4000—but only 16% are on track for net zero in operations by 2050.
In the global race for competitiveness, decarbonization is emerging as a key differentiator. Accenture’s latest report on the decarbonization activities of the world’s largest companies finds that those that connect climate ambition to business strategy are cutting emissions faster and creating lasting value. But the journey is far from complete: just 16% are on track to reach net zero in their operations by 2050.
Note: Target and activity data were collected through manual inspection of publicly available company documents. Emissions data were retrieved from S&P Global Trucost 2025.
Key findings
The decarbonization playbook
What companies need to do now:
Set comprehensive goals across the full value chain, create science-based transition plans with clear actions, tie executive pay to emissions progress and establish the right governance model.
Clearly report the financial benefits of sustainability, align to global climate disclosure standards, connect emissions cuts to business results and build a robust data foundation and digital core.
Scale up proven efficiency levers, adopt renewables, electrify processes where possible and use data and predictive analytics for ongoing improvement. Real impact comes from embedding these actions into core strategy and operations for lasting results.
Collaborate across the value chain to share risks, build demand for low-carbon solutions and develop shared assets. Establish industrial clusters and integrate Scope 3 actions to address the root cause of emissions and unlock system-wide efficiencies.
Build a digital core that integrates ESG and operational data, leverage AI for identifying reduction opportunities and real-time tracking and use digital tools to boost efficiency—while also minimizing AI’s own carbon footprint to ensure technology supports sustainability goals.
