European Private Sector SDGs Stocktake 2026
Sustainability data is no longer simply a reporting exercise. It is increasingly shaping business competitiveness — influencing access to contracts and capital, while helping organisations anticipate and respond to evolving regulatory requirements.
UN Global Compact Network UK, together with Country Networks in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Türkiye, has published the second edition of the European Private Sector SDGs Stocktake. Drawing on 136 data points from 5,793 companies across 21 countries, the report provides a detailed benchmark of how businesses are translating sustainability commitments into measurable action — and where important gaps remain.
Three developments are increasing the value of robust sustainability data for UK businesses:
- Procurement and supply chains. Sustainability performance is becoming an increasingly important part of supplier due diligence and procurement. Businesses that can provide credible, comparable data are better equipped to respond to customer requirements and demonstrate their credentials in competitive tender processes.
- Access to capital. Lenders and investors are increasingly incorporating sustainability-related risks and performance into their decision-making. Being able to demonstrate measurable progress — rather than commitments alone — can strengthen a company's position when seeking sustainable finance and engaging with investors.
- A changing regulatory environment. Requirements around corporate transparency, governance and climate disclosure continue to evolve. For businesses, robust sustainability data can support compliance while also providing the information needed to identify and manage emerging risks.
Where UK businesses stand:
Across 1,014 UK participants, including 413 SMEs, the Stocktake identifies areas of clear strength alongside opportunities for further progress:
- Governance: a strong UK performance. UK companies recorded the highest SDG 16 score of any country analysed, at 75.0. This reflects comparatively mature approaches to areas including anti-bribery and corporate transparency — capabilities that are increasingly relevant to supplier due diligence and procurement.
- Climate: strong policy integration, with a delivery gap still to close. The UK recorded the highest score for SDG 13 policy integration, against a backdrop of strengthened climate disclosure requirements. However, across Europe, only 28.1% of companies have a climate adaptation plan, while validated emissions targets remain less common among SMEs. The findings underline the need to translate policy commitments into measurable operational progress.
- Partnerships: significant potential remains untapped. SDG 17 is the lowest-scoring area across the study, pointing to an opportunity for businesses to strengthen collaboration across sectors and value chains. For UK companies, greater partnership could help unlock shared expertise, innovation and collective approaches to sustainability challenges.