# Business Breakthrough Barometer 2025

**Publisher:** Bain Travel and Leisure  
**Published:** 2023-10-15  
**Category:** Consulting & advisory  
**Type:** Barometer  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** https://www.bain.com/insights/business-breakthrough-barometer-2025/  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/business-breakthrough-barometer-2025

## At a glance
- 91% of business leaders maintained or increased net-zero transition investments despite political turbulence and policy uncertainty.
- 56% cite long-term industrial competitiveness as primary motivation for transition investment, not regulatory compliance or reporting.
- 96% of North American leaders report reduced confidence in government support; fewer than 10% of Asian leaders report similar decline.
- 92% believe net-zero economy will impose lower costs than climate disruption; 61% expect disruption impacts within one year.
- Asia and Europe identified as investment 'bright spots' by 74% of leaders; policy uncertainty deterring US investment.

## What the report covers
The Business Breakthrough Barometer 2025 is the second annual pulse check from WBCSD, supported by Bain & Company, assessing business progress on net-zero transition. It surveys over 300 business executives and organisations representing more than 10,000 members across sectors responsible for over 50% of global emissions. The report evaluates investment momentum, policy barriers and enablers across eight sectors—power, road transport, steel, cement, buildings, hydrogen and fertilizer—to inform COP30 and guide government policy.

## Key findings
Business commitment to decarbonisation remains firm despite geopolitical turbulence. According to the survey, 95% maintained or increased short-term emission targets, 96% maintained longer-term targets, and 91% increased net-zero transition investments over the past year. This contrasts with perceptions of retreat; businesses are strategically reallocating capital to high-confidence markets rather than withdrawing commitment.

Regional divergence in policy confidence is stark and shaping investment flows. The report finds 96% of North American leaders report diminished confidence in government support, driven by policy uncertainty. Fewer than 10% of Asian leaders reported similar declines. This divergence is directing capital allocation, with 74% of leaders naming Asia and Europe as increasingly attractive investment destinations.

Competitiveness, not compliance, drives transition investment. The survey reveals 56% cite securing long-term industrial competitiveness as primary motivation for transition spending, compared to regulatory obligations. Companies target 'bright spot' markets with stable policy, affordable clean energy and growing low-carbon demand—particularly renewables and electric vehicles where falling costs ensure commercial viability.

Business leaders expect net-zero to reduce long-term costs but face immediate climate disruption. The report states 92% believe achieving net-zero will impose lower burdens than transition costs. However, 61% predict climate-related disruptions—including extreme weather and supply chain volatility—will impact their business within one year, creating dual pressure for investment and adaptation.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business leaders maintaining or increasing transition investments | 91% | Survey of 300+ executives; observed over past 12 months |
| Business leaders maintaining or increasing short-term emission targets (2030 or earlier) | 95% | Survey finding over past 12 months |
| Business leaders maintaining or increasing longer-term emission targets (2030 or later) | 96% | Survey finding over past 12 months |
| Primary motivation for transition investment cited as long-term industrial competitiveness | 56% | Survey of business leaders |
| North American leaders reporting reduced government support confidence | 96% | Regional breakdown; past 12 months |
| Asian leaders reporting reduced government support confidence | less than 10% | Regional breakdown; past 12 months |
| Leaders believing net-zero economy will result in lower burdens than transition costs | 92% | Survey finding |
| Leaders predicting climate-related disruption costs within next year | 61% | Includes extreme weather and supply chain volatility |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Regional investment divergence signals where sustainable tourism infrastructure will concentrate. Asia and Europe's attractiveness to business investment—cited by 74% of leaders—suggests heightened competition for green destination credentials. DMOs must align sustainability narratives with investor priorities to capture transition-related hospitality and tourism development capital.

**Hotels & hospitality** — The finding that 56% prioritise competitiveness over compliance means operators should embed sustainability into core revenue models, not treat it as cost. With 92% of leaders expecting net-zero to reduce long-term burdens, aligned hotels will attract climate-conscious capital and premium guests. However, 61% anticipating near-term disruption costs makes supply chain and energy resilience operationally urgent.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Business investment momentum (91% maintaining or increasing spending) underpins demand for travel-tech enabling low-carbon bookings and sustainability reporting. Policy divergence—96% North American confidence decline versus sub-10% in Asia—signals platform opportunities differ by region. Providers should develop region-specific solutions addressing regulatory uncertainty in mature markets whilst scaling in 'bright spot' regions.

## Methodology and limits
Based on surveys, interviews and consultations with over 300 business executives and organisations representing more than 10,000 members, conducted March–early May 2025. Respondents span OECD and BRICS markets with global supply chain presence; 65% held VP/SVP/EVP or above; collectively representing over $2 trillion in annual revenue. Participants are sustainability leaders across energy and industry sectors responsible for over 50% of global emissions. Figures are survey findings and self-reported observations, not independently verified data.

---
© Bain Travel and Leisure for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.bain.com/insights/business-breakthrough-barometer-2025/