CBI / ECIU REPORT: Net zero is a major driver of UK growth and innovation.

How’s that for a headline?

Yet I’m reading about companies rolling back on targets, caught in a greenwash trap, hesitating on sustainability commitments. You’d think the economic case for net zero wasn’t clear. But the numbers tell a different story.

– The UK’s net zero economy is booming, contributing £83.1bn to UK growth, supporting 951,000 jobs, and bring in £23bn from investors in UK and abroad last year…

– Net zero jobs are 38% more productive than the UK average.

– Regional hubs like Scotland, Yorkshire, and the South East are proving that sustainability is a driver of regional growth, not a drag on it.

Makes me think of the interview with that CIA operative, who said 98% of people live in immediate perception, 2% with wider perspective.

Too many businesses still perceive decarbonisation as a cost and compliance exercise rather than a competitive advantage.

Perspective and empathy see what really matters to customers, investors, and future markets. The businesses that see the bigger picture, who understand where customers and investors are heading, and share their successes in ways that resonate, will be the ones who thrive.

As the report says: “The results of this growth are clear: the net zero economy is not only driving environmental progress but also delivering transformative economic and social benefits across the UK. With its high productivity, investment, and innovation, the sector is a vital pillar of the UK’s transition to a sustainable future.”