Sustainability, only 16% of European companies have achieved concrete targets

85 per cent of medium-sized and large European companies have already started or are planning sustainability initiatives, but only 15.7 per cent have achieved concrete goals and no more than 20.5 per cent have already drawn up a sustainability report. This is what emerges from new research by Interzero, a leading circular economy group in Europe, which analysed behaviour, investments and obstacles to sustainable transition by interviewing about 250 managers of medium and large-sized companies in the Old Continent.

The survey shows that the most widespread practice among companies is monitoring compliance with environmental regulations (72% of respondents). This is followed, in order of preference (and with percentages always above 50%) by: the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD); the reduction of the carbon footprint, i.e. the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated during the life cycle of a product, service or organisation; eco-design initiatives, i.e. the design of products or packaging that are recyclable, biodegradable or from renewable sources; and finally training on sustainability issues.

Sustainability is among the priorities of companies: more than 75% of companies have set environmental objectives to be achieved by 2030, in line with EU targets. However, the goal still seems far off: only 35% measure their degree of circularity and 44% draw up a sustainability report, i.e. a non-financial report. Reducing emissions is the most widespread action (75 per cent), followed by the use of recycled or biodegradable materials (+50 per cent) and the implementation of EGS strategies. According to Interzero's survey, the electronics (82% of managers confirm this) and Food & Beverage (81%) sectors are the most likely to activate sustainability initiatives in the next three years. At the tail end are the construction (66%), retail and logistics sectors (in both of which 62.5% of companies will take action).

Regarding the reduction of the environmental impact of packaging, the use of recycled materials, the minimisation of non-sustainable materials and the use of biodegradable materials in packaging are among the most implemented practices by the companies surveyed (+50%). This is encouraging, considering that only a few years ago the percentage of companies paying attention to the impacts of packaging in Europe was much lower. However, reuse of packaging appears to be the least implemented action in terms of reducing the environmental impact of packaging, due to the difficulties associated with degradation and loss of material. However, almost 40% of the companies surveyed say they also implement this solution.

Looking at Italy, most of the companies surveyed (56%) do not have a dedicated sustainability team. Compared to the previous three years, 90% will certainly invest more. Here, sustainability-related activities are managed with the support of external consultants much more than in other countries. Compared to the others, Italian companies are almost exclusively committed to the environmental front and much less to the social and governance front, and they look with greater interest at process innovation to create more sustainable products, starting with packaging.