Is sustainability financially worthwhile?
The World Economic Forum published an article about the Project ROI 2025 study, which analyzed 640 academic studies over the past 10 years. The conclusion is clear: when sustainability is properly implemented, it demonstrably improves a company's financial performance.
The study presents interesting numbers. It claims that sustainability is associated with as much as:
- a 36% increase in financial valuation
- a 21% increase in profitability
- a 20% increase in revenue
- a 21% increase in productivity
- a 57% reduction in employee turnover
Similar to previous studies, the conclusions of Project ROI 2025 state that results are achieved only when sustainability is managed as a strategic business capability, not as a compliance exercise or a marketing add‑on.
The study identifies 3 key steps that differentiate leaders from others:
Build a credible business story around sustainability — at its core lies the trust of customers, investors and employees
Integrate sustainability into key business decisions — find the “sweet spots” where financial, environmental and social priorities intersect
Measure, learn and scale what works — companies report financial ROI from sustainability initiatives at the level of 20–33%
The study's results confirm that sustainability is not a cost. It is an investment with measurable returns — if approached strategically.
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