2022 Deloitte CxO Sustainability Report: The disconnect between ambition and impact

What it contains

The report presents the results of Deloitte’s survey of more than 2,000 senior executives (CxOs) in 21 countries, carried out between September and October 2021 (2,083 responses) and compared with a similar survey from early 2021. It concludes that concern and optimism have increased, but that there are disconnects between executives’ opinions and motivations, their organizations’ actions and the impact they achieve.

Among the findings: almost 79 % see the world at a tipping point in responding to climate change (59 % eight months earlier); 97 % of companies have already felt negative impacts; eight in ten executives were personally affected by climate events in the past year; and 88 % believe that with immediate action the worst impacts can be limited (63 % eight months earlier). Two thirds say they use more sustainable materials and improve energy efficiency, but they are less likely to adopt actions that show they have embedded climate in their culture and have senior leadership backing.

Deloitte identified five “needle-moving” actions: developing new climate-friendly products or services, requiring sustainability criteria from suppliers and partners, updating or relocating facilities to make them more resistant to climate impacts, incorporating climate into lobbying and political donations, and tying senior leaders’ compensation to sustainability. The 19 % of the sample, leaders who applied at least four of the five, serves as a model of what works.

Summary prepared by the Dominican Republic Risk Management Club from a reading of the original document, with the source verified on 7 October 2026. It does not replace reading the official text and is not advice.

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