However, despite the widespread confidence, several challenges remain that could weaken these strategies. Many organisations have adopted a "set and forget" approach, which could stifle commercial gains and undermine the UK's future sustainability efforts.

Interestingly, 89% of UK businesses claimed they are ready to face energy market fluctuations and increasing environmental regulations in the coming year. Yet, this optimism may be misplaced, as the report warned of potential complacency. One key area of concern was that only 23% of organisations felt confident in their ability to manage scope three emissions, a crucial factor for comprehensive sustainability.

The findings also underscored a recurring theme: financial priorities took precedence over environmental concerns. In fact, 84% of businesses prioritised cost savings when shaping their sustainability strategies, suggesting a clear tendency to favour short-term economic gains over long-term environmental impact.

Chris Maclean, CEO, True, powered by Open Energy Market, comments: “This shouldn’t be about competing priorities; it’s about recognising that sustainability can drive commercial benefits. Businesses need to shift their perspective to see sustainability as a pathway to commercial gain, or they risk losing competitive advantage, missing out on tenders, and falling behind in an evolving market landscape where sustainability is increasingly tied to business success.”

Businesses face several challenges when implementing sustainable energy practices, with financial constraints (26%), lengthy approval processes (25%), and limited access to trusted specialist consultants (23%) being the most cited. These hurdles point to the need for streamlined procedures and greater access to expertise to drive sustainability initiatives that can also boost commercial outcomes.

Despite the benefits of expert guidance, 58% of organisations have not enlisted specialist consultants to optimise their energy strategies. This is significant given that 76% of those that have sought consultancy reported positive results, revealing a missed opportunity for many businesses to enhance their energy mixes.

Decision-making authority over sustainable energy strategies also presents a complex picture. While CFOs have a slight edge over Heads of Sustainability in terms of final sign-off authority (28% vs 24%), perceptions vary widely depending on who is asked. CFOs themselves are more likely to claim primary decision-making responsibility (43%), while only 13% of sustainability officers would agree. Conversely, 31% of sustainability officers see their department as key decision-makers, compared to just 16% of CFOs.

Moreover, slow approval timelines pose another obstacle. Over half of UK organisations (55%) reported a 4-6-month timeframe for signing off energy and sustainability projects, while 22% indicated it took 7-9 months. This delay could impede the timely execution of essential initiatives.

The survey also highlighted a lack of comprehensive evaluation methods for sustainable energy transitions. Only 20% of organisations track energy consumption data or assess compliance with environmental regulations, and just 19% use technology to monitor cost savings.

True addresses these challenges by offering a unified platform for energy procurement and net-zero strategies. This platform enables businesses to make data-driven decisions, build stronger financial cases, and ultimately enhance their sustainability efforts.

Chris Maclean adds: “There is a startling paradox within UK businesses: high confidence in energy strategies coexists with significant gaps that need urgent attention. While many feel prepared for market challenges, the reality is that navigating the complexities of the energy landscape requires more than just confidence and ambition – it requires action. Businesses need to actively engage with specialists and adopt robust evaluation methods to optimise their energy and sustainability strategies effectively. By taking these steps, companies can not only address the gaps but carve a commercially competitive path to net zero, ensuring they are resilient, compliant, and truly sustainable in the long term.”