More than three-quarters of UK business leaders say they will continue pursuing net zero targets regardless of political uncertainty, according to new research highlighting the private sector’s sustained focus on decarbonisation.
The findings, published in the latest Net Zero Barometer by the British Standards Institution (BSI), suggest that 79 per cent of senior executives intend to maintain their net zero strategies, with most citing clear commercial benefits rather than purely environmental motivations.
The survey of more than 1,000 senior UK business leaders, conducted in February, indicates that commitment to emissions reduction remains broadly stable, with 82 per cent still formally committed to achieving net zero goals.
However, the research also highlights growing caution in how firms communicate their climate strategies. More than half (53 per cent) say they have adjusted the way they talk about net zero over the past year, amid rising political and media scepticism.
BSI describes this shift as “climate coding” — reframing environmental initiatives in terms of resilience, risk management and business continuity rather than climate impact alone.
Nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) view rising climate scepticism in politics as a financial risk to their own business, while 49 per cent see it as a broader threat to the UK economy. By contrast, 30 per cent see it as an opportunity.
Despite this, companies continue to frame net zero as a commercial imperative. Operational efficiency and cost savings were cited as the leading driver by 33 per cent of respondents, followed by competitiveness at 22 per cent.
A large majority also warned that failing to prepare for climate-related risks could carry significant operational and financial consequences.
The study points to a strong demand for further support to accelerate the transition. Around nine in ten businesses said they want more assistance, with 88 per cent calling for greater government backing such as financial incentives.
Firms also highlighted the need for practical measures, including workforce training and clearer industry guidance to help implement standards and technologies needed to meet emissions targets.
The findings suggest that while the politics of climate policy may be becoming more contested, corporate Britain remains broadly aligned behind decarbonisation—driven increasingly by cost efficiency, competitiveness and risk management rather than environmental messaging alone.
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