Commercial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  January 24, 2024

Business Execs Optimistic About Investing in Clean Tech

Business leaders reported an increased level of optimism about their organizations' future growth in 2024 compared to 12 months ago, according to a report released by Capgemini Research Institute.

The report, called Embracing a brighter future: Investment Priorities for 2024, discusses the investment plans of 2,000 business leaders globally for the next 12-18 months. 

Executives said additional investment in the areas of customer experience, innovation, talent and skills, sustainability, and supply chains would benefit from the additional funding.

“Our annual report on the sentiment and investment intentions of global business leaders provides cause for optimism at the start of 2024,” said Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer at Capgemini, in a statement. “Business leaders are beginning the year with an increased sense of confidence compared to 12 months ago, with technology and AI set to drive the next phase of the transition towards a more digital and sustainable global economy. It is good news that business leaders are increasing investments in a wide array of critical business areas from customer experience and innovation to talent and supply chains, and perhaps even more importantly sustainability.”

Companies plan to spend more money on sustainability projects since nearly 50% of global business leaders anticipate climate change to be the biggest driver of operational disruption over the next decade. 

Executives shared that not having sustainable practices and processes will pose a long-term existential risk for their companies. 

Their budgets include allocating more money for sustainability; 57% of business leaders said that they intend to increase their investment in clean tech in the U.S. over the next 2-3 years, due partly to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The same proportion plans to increase their investment in EU clean tech as a direct result of the Green Deal Industrial Plan.