Τhe 2025 UN Global Compact - Accenture CEO Study "Turning the key" has shown the increased importance of sustainability as a key driver of business resilience and growth.
According to an announcement of the study on Tuesday, 88% of CEOs stated the business case for sustainability is stronger today than it was five years ago, while 99% plan to maintain or strengthen their commitments to climate, environment and society - even if they choose to talk less about them publicly.
The survey, which captures the views of nearly 2,000 CEOs across 128 countries and 18 industries, charts the shift from ambition to action, at a time when 2024 marked the first year of exceeding the 1.5C limit of the Paris Agreement.
As part of the research, 35 in-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs and Chairmen of the Boards of Directors of UN Global Compact member companies, including Evangelos Mytilineos, CEO of METLEN Energy & Metals and President of Eurometaux, and Marcel Cobuz, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the TITAN Group.
According to the study, Greek companies are increasingly participating in the international sustainability dialogue, integrating sustainable development into their strategic planning with the support of the UN Global Compact Network Greece, which brings together companies and organizations with the aim of implementing the Principles of Responsible Entrepreneurship and achieving the SDGs.
Referring to the challenges, Evangelos Mytilineos emphasised: "While the world is investing in green technologies and renewable energy sources, the foundations remain unstable. At the peak of summer, up to 25% of the energy produced by RES is lost, as the grid cannot absorb it. Investments in key infrastructure are needed to ensure that we move forward in a strategic way."
On his part, Marcel Cobuz pointed out: "By strengthening our activity in alternative cementitious materials, we are promoting sustainability in construction through the circular recovery of industrial by-products, such as fly ash and slag, while at the same time responding to the ever-growing demand for low-carbon, high-performance materials."