As we step into 2026, I’ve been thinking about the forces that will shape sustainability worldwide this year. While the pace of change varies by region, the signals are remarkably consistent: regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, investor expectations are rising, and nature‑ and climate‑related risks are becoming more immediate and material for business leaders everywhere.
Across global markets, sustainability is now influencing access to capital, shaping procurement decisions, and determining competitiveness in supply chains. Companies that can show real emissions reductions and stronger transition plans will gain a clear advantage.
Technology will also define the gap between leaders and laggards. AI is becoming a decisive force in modelling risk, managing growing volumes of ESG data, and optimising performance – but uneven adoption will create new vulnerabilities for those who fall behind.
In this environment, my focus for Anthesis is straightforward: to bring sharper clarity, deeper expertise, and stronger execution to help organisations turn complexity into long‑term value. That means integrating digital and AI capabilities thoughtfully, strengthening global collaboration, and ensuring sustainability remains a driver of resilience and growth.
Below, you can find further insights from our experts on key shifts in the sustainability landscape. We are also excited to announce the launch of our Causes that Count report – an annual index of critical causes shaping the world.
I look forward to working together to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes in the year ahead.
Dr. Matthew Bell
Group Chief Executive Officer
Anthesis
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Across the world, cost‑of‑living pressure, rising anxiety, and global instability are taking hold as centre-stage issues alongside long‑term challenges like climate change. Our annual Causes That Count report provides insight into the 50 issues that matter most right now, and how purpose-led leaders can align to the shifting needs they present.
This year’s research reveals meaningful movement in what people prioritise – shaped by personal pressure, global conflict, economic uncertainty, and climate risk. The landscape is more complex than in previous years, and simple narratives no longer hold.
Ten new causes entered the global top 50 this year, with several outranking long-established issues. Their rapid ascent signals a meaningful shift in global priorities and public attention.
One major new entry this year: Cost of Living.
The 2026 Sustainability Agenda
Anthesis CEO Matt Bell recently joined Becky Willan on our Purposing podcast to discuss what lies ahead in the sustainability agenda for 2026. In their conversation, they focus on where leaders should focus their attention in the coming year, how the role of the CSO is evolving as sustainability moves from ambition to action, and what role AI can play in the journey to sustainable impact.
Anthesis is activating across multiple touchpoints during GreenBiz this year, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, sharing insights that matter, and strengthening relationships. Hear from our experts at any one of our three special sessions and connect with our delegates at Stand 228 on the main concourse.
We are proud to share that Anthesis has been shortlisted as a finalist for Specialist Due Diligence Provider of the Year at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2026. This recognition is a testament to our team's in-depth sector expertise and our commitment to delivering comprehensive, actionable due diligence across ESG, commercial, and technical disciplines.
INSIGHTS | Nature Risk is Now a National Security Threat
The UK Government’s new Nature Security Assessment marks a profound shift in how nature is being framed – not as an environmental concern, but as a core pillar of economic and strategic infrastructure. For business leaders, the implications are unequivocal: nature risk is no longer peripheral. It is now a material driver of supply chain resilience, geopolitical stability, asset valuation, and long-term growth.
WEBINAR | Streamlining the 2026 CDP Disclosure Process
3 February | 11:00 EST / 16:00 GMT
Join us to learn how to streamline your CDP process, leverage existing disclosures for efficiency, and translate specialised technical knowledge into impactful responses. Our experts will share strategies to align CDP with regulatory frameworks and set realistic internal expectations.
"Being able to provide product carbon footprints – and a credible plan to reduce them – is becoming a strategic supplier asset that is easy to underestimate, and increasingly hard to ignore."
ReTerra: Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Across Brazil
Brazil’s agroecosystems are facing increasing climate pressures and soil degradation. Shifting rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures, combined with conventional high-input farming, are placing long-term productivity and sustainability at risk.
To respond to these stresses, we’ve developed ReTerra, a strategic partnership created with Rabobank Brazil and Ruuts by Ovis to accelerate the large-scale adoption of regenerative agriculture across Brazil.
Our latest Activating Sustainability episode explores the ReTerra project in more detail.
