Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability
A sector-by-sector analysis of UK business progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The UK is emerging as a global leader in sustainability, driven by businesses that increasingly recognise the competitive, reputational, and financial advantages of responsible practices. Growing evidence shows that sustainability not only supports long-term success but also delivers measurable business value.
However, progress is uneven across sectors, as each industry faces distinct environmental, social, and governance challenges shaped by differing operational, regulatory, and market priorities. By understanding these sector-specific nuances, businesses can set realistic goals, adopt targeted practices, and develop actionable roadmaps that drive meaningful, measurable progress.
To help companies strengthen competitiveness and resilience, the UN Global Compact Network UK, in collaboration with University College London, Newcastle University, and Euromonitor International, has developed the report “Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability,” examining how six high-impact sectors in the UK are performing against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on rigorous data and market insights, the report identifies sector-specific challenges, benchmarks performance, and presents actionable recommendations to support effective sustainability strategies.
Download the full report to:
- Gain in-depth analysis of UK business progress on the SDGs;
- Access sector-specific insights to strengthen ESG performance and support the integration of sustainability into strategy and operations;
- Understand cross-sector trends highlighting shared barriers, leadership gaps, and opportunities for collaboration and innovation;
- Inform your company’s sustainability strategy with evidence-based findings and global benchmark comparisons;
- Leverage data-driven insights from UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (CoP) data, World Benchmarking Alliance benchmarks, policy context, and market trends to guide decision-making; and
- Explore policy priorities that can shape the enabling environment to help businesses operate responsibly, compete globally, and unlock sustainable investment at scale.
With thanks to our partners:
For further information, please contact Lily Venables, Senior Project Manager, Governance & SDGs Programme.