Much has changed in the world since the last year’s Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day, Tuesday April 22, 2025, provides a welcome opportunity to pause and think about the issues our planet faces. Despite the many pressing issues humanity faces – not least live armed conflict in various parts of the world – the latest YPO Global Impact Report reveals positive environmental legacy is the number one priority for YPO CEOs across world. This year’s YPO Impact Report, launched in Vietnam, at the start of April, highlights the strides and challenges businesses face in their journey towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating to net zero.
Key Findings of the latest YPO Impact Report
- Across Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, around four in ten chief executives rank positive environmental impact and reducing pollution or emissions as their top priority.
- YPO member companies are significantly ahead in net-zero planning, with 21% having a plan in place, compared to just 8% globally. South America leads with 54% of businesses having short-term carbon reduction targets, followed by Europe (47%) and Asia (46%).
- South America also stands out with 61% of businesses having a full-time sustainability leadership position, a stark contrast to North America’s 19%.
- In North America, YPO CEOs are focused on responsible investment and resource management
- While business leaders in Oceania (which includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia) are focused on balancing environmental impact with sustainable growth and infrastructure.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup, headquartered in Vietnam said: “Whilst it is pleasing to see nearly half the businesses in Asia and Europe have clear carbon reductions targets, we have to re-double our efforts. This is not only beneficial for the climate, but also for business. VinFast has achieved market dominance in Vietnam, surpassing all gasoline and electric vehicle brands. Consequently, Vietnam stands out as a nation where electric vehicle deliveries have overtaken those of gasoline vehicles, accelerating the worldwide adoption of sustainable transportation.”
Regional Insights
- YPO leaders in South America are leading the way with 54% of YPO businesses in South America having short-term carbon reduction targets and 70% having a decarbonization strategy.
- YPO businesses based in Asia and Europe show strong commitment with 60% of businesses having a decarbonization strategy and nearly half setting short-term greenhouse gas reduction targets.
- YPO businesses in North America and Oceania lag behind somewhat, with only 20% and 10% of businesses, respectively, having short-term greenhouse gas reduction targets.
In responding to the findings in this year’s YPO Impact Report, YPO Global Chairman, Sofyan Almoayed, emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship: ” Businesses are a force for positive action in tackling climate change. Our latest Impact Report shows YPO business leaders are deeply committed to the next generation.”
The latest YPO Impact Report also found North American businesses prioritize responsible investment and resource management, while employers in Oceania focus on sustainable growth and infrastructure. These regional variations highlight the different regulatory, business cultures and economic landscapes in which our member companies operate, but the overall commitment to net zero is evident in markets across all the Earth’s continents.
Despite regional variations in regulations, business cultures and taxation, YPO member companies are twice as likely to have a net-zero plan in place (21%) compared with an average of 8% of companies globally. An analysis by Accenture in November 2024 found only 16% of the 2,000 largest companies in the world were on track to achieve net zero by 2050, and 45% had actually seen an increase in emissions: There is much work still to do.
Best Practices for Net Zero Plans
The latest YPO research also provides several insights and learnings for businesses in the global south and low- and middle-income countries on adopting effective carbon reduction and net zero plans:
- The importance of tracking and tracing carbon emissions cannot be overstated. Many SMEs do not currently measure their emissions, which is a crucial first step in managing and reducing them. Technology can help – with tools available to track and trace all elements of the supply chain.
- Establishing attainable short-term and long-term carbon reduction targets and working toward them step by step is essential. Businesses in South America are leading in this area, with 54% having short-term targets.
- Sharing best practices and collaborating with other businesses and organizations within their regions can help SMEs learn from successful strategies and avoid elephant traps.
- Having a dedicated sustainability leader within the business can support and accelerate progress. South American businesses are more likely to have full-time sustainability positions compared to other regions – in addition to management focus from the CEO and board.
Accelerating the journey to net zero
While solid progress is being made, YPO’s latest Global Impact Report shines a spotlight on the urgent need for more decisive action. The pressure is on for all businesses across our planet to step up. The journey to net zero is already well underway – business leaders who embrace it will not only make a positive impact but will put their companies and the people they employ in the best position for long-term sustainable (in every sense of the word) success.
In her response to this latest YPO annual Impact Report’s findings Angel Lance, Founder, Motive Power and 10/6 Professional Services highlighted the business opportunities around the journey to net zero and positive climate action: “The path to net zero is not just a necessity but an opportunity for innovation and business growth.”
On the 2025 Earth Day as the conversation around corporate climate action continues to evolve, one thing is clear: businesses failing to act risk being left behind – losing business opportunities, profile and in turn market share and profit.
The message from YPO chief executives across the globe is clear – accelerating your business’s net zero journey is not just the right thing to do for the earth and the animals (including humans) that live on the earth, but a strategic advantage.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: YPO – www.ypo.org
