TEAM Energy’s sustainability survey, Countdown to Net Zero, has revealed a compelling snapshot of the UK’s sustainability landscape, highlighting both the ambition and the obstacles organisations face as they work towards their carbon reduction goals – and where they need the most support.
Over 100 UK-based organisations across diverse sectors participated in the eight-week survey, offering a comprehensive snapshot of net zero commitments, strategies, and barriers. The findings reveal a strong appetite for change, but also a clear need for structured support and guidance.
Mixed progress on net zero goals
While some organisations are advancing, 49% of respondents rated their progress as ‘fair’, with only 7% calling it ‘excellent’. 19% viewed efforts as ‘good’, while a combined 23% reported ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ progress—signalling widespread challenges and limited confidence in achieving net zero targets.
What are the key headlines?
The survey reveals challenges that include technological limitations, supply chain dependency and the lack of a dedicated sustainability lead however, these are the key insights:
- The biggest barrier is financial
A striking 76% of organisations cited financial limitations as the top challenge in their net zero journey. This underscores the urgent need for accessible funding, grants, and incentives to unlock progress. - There is an appetite for training and education
64% of respondents identified training and education as essential to their success, highlighting the importance of building internal capacity and sustainability literacy. - Verification of net zero targets is lagging
While 49% of organisations have made formal net zero commitments, 55% have not had their targets verified by a third party—revealing a gap in credibility and accountability. - Leadership engagement is limited
Only 28.6% of respondents reported strong leadership driving net zero efforts, while 10.2% said leadership played no role at all. This points to a missed opportunity for top-down transformation. - CSR and reputation are key drivers
56% of organisations cited corporate social responsibility as a main motivator, followed closely by brand reputation at 53%, highlighting how ethical values and public perception are powerful forces for change
Overall, the survey results suggest that organisations are motivated but constrained—ready to act but unsure how. The findings also suggest a cultural shift: sustainability is no longer a niche concern but a strategic imperative. Staff engagement, especially among younger employees, is rising. Competitive pressure is mounting. And public accountability is becoming non-negotiable.
As a leading UK sustainability consultancy, we are uniquely positioned to help organisations overcome these barriers. Our services—including energy audits, carbon footprint baselining, strategy development, and tailored training—align directly with the support areas identified in the survey.
We believe that with the right tools, leadership, and education, every organisation can turn ambition into impactful action.
