A new report from the UN Global Compact Network UK offers an assessment of how UK business sectors are performing on sustainability.

Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability benchmarks six sectors against the SDGs, revealing wide variation in sustainability maturity and readiness.

Created in collaboration with University College London (UCL), SDSN UK, Newcastle University, and Euromonitor International, the report highlights standout practices, identifies leadership gaps, and pinpoints opportunities for transformation.

“This report provides a vital snapshot of where UK industries stand on sustainability, and where they need to go,” said Steve Kenzie, executive director of UN Global Compact Network UK. “It’s a call to action for business leaders, policymakers, and investors to align strategy, governance, and incentives with the urgent demands of our time.”

Cross-sector challenges include Scope 3 emissions, inconsistent ESG integration, and limited collaboration on shared sustainability goals, whilst sector-by-sector benchmarking reveals uneven progress, with some industries leading on SDG alignment while others lag on key issues such as carbon reporting, water quality, and supply chain transparency.

With public trust in corporate sustainability claims under strain (see earlier reports), Trailblazers & Transformers provides guidance for boards, policymakers, and investors and identifies four levers for change: finance, policy, innovation, and partnership.

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