Decarbonisation in 2026: Key Risks and Opportunities for Businesses

Business decarbonisation enters delivery phase in 2026

An upcoming edie webinar will examine what is driving business decarbonisation in 2026 and what is holding it back. The session, delivered in partnership with BSI, is designed as a practical briefing for sustainability and energy leaders. It draws on findings from BSI’s latest UK Net Zero Barometer and G7 Net Zero Temperature Check, which together represent insights from more than 7,000 business leaders.

The focus is on risks, regulatory and market drivers, and the actions companies are taking to move forward. For UK SMEs, the session offers a chance to benchmark progress against peer sentiment and current business conditions.

Why business leaders are tuning in now

Decarbonisation has moved from a long-term ambition to a near-term operational issue. Companies face pressure from multiple directions. Tightening climate disclosure expectations are one factor. Rising energy and compliance costs add another layer. Customer scrutiny, supply chain requirements, and the need to remain competitive while reducing emissions complete the picture.

The webinar’s timing reflects a broader shift in the sustainability market. Firms are increasingly asking not whether to decarbonise, but how to do so in a way that is credible, cost-effective, and aligned with strategy. That question is especially relevant in 2026. Many organisations are expected to move beyond target-setting and into implementation, supplier engagement, and capital planning.

BSI’s research base gives the session added weight. A sample size of more than 7,000 business leaders suggests the underlying reports capture a wide cross-section of sentiment across the UK and G7 markets. Consequently, they serve as useful barometers of confidence, barriers, and adoption trends.

Agenda covers risks, drivers and practical actions

According to the event description, the session will provide a practical briefing on four main areas. First, the risks affecting business decarbonisation. Second, the drivers pushing progress. Third, the opportunities available to companies. Fourth, the actions organisations can take in 2026.

The webinar is hosted by edie in partnership with BSI. It is built around new insights from BSI’s decarbonisation-related polling and market research. For sustainability teams, that means the session is designed to translate survey findings into actionable intelligence.

The session is aimed at sustainability and energy leaders who are working through the practical realities of delivery. These include data collection, emissions measurement, supplier influence, budget constraints, and aligning climate action with growth. Therefore, the webinar is not just informational. It serves as a signal of where standards, expectations, and business practice may be heading this year.

What makes this briefing different

The event sits within a wider industry push to translate net zero commitments into measurable action. Similar briefings in 2025 and 2026 have focused on topics such as measuring emissions and building carbon data foundations. Target-setting and roadmapping have also featured. Supply chain decarbonisation, climate risk management, and sustainability reporting have all been recurring themes.

That broader agenda suggests the market is entering a more execution-focused phase. Rather than debating the case for decarbonisation, businesses are increasingly being asked to answer practical questions. These include data quality, cost, governance, procurement, and supplier collaboration. Essentially, the conversation has shifted from ambition to implementation.

The significance of a BSI-backed briefing is also notable. Standards bodies and assurance-focused organisations are becoming more central to climate strategy. In practice, this means companies are not just seeking ambition. They need mechanisms for verification, comparability, and implementation discipline. A BSI-linked session is likely to be especially relevant to organisations balancing decarbonisation with compliance and operational resilience.

Commercial realities facing UK businesses in 2026

For UK SMEs, the shift to delivery creates both opportunity and pressure. Many firms are now being asked to demonstrate progress, not just intent. That applies in procurement, where public sector buyers increasingly require evidence of carbon reduction. It applies in supply chains, where large corporates are cascading net zero expectations to suppliers. It also applies in finance, where lenders and insurers are factoring climate risk into their assessments.

The cost of action remains a barrier. Energy costs have stabilised since their 2022 peak, but they remain elevated. Compliance costs are rising as reporting frameworks expand. Meanwhile, many SMEs lack dedicated sustainability resources. Consequently, they need to find practical, affordable routes to decarbonisation without compromising operational performance.

The webinar’s emphasis on risks and drivers is therefore timely. Understanding what is pushing decarbonisation forward helps firms prioritise where to invest time and budget. Understanding what is holding it back helps them anticipate obstacles and plan accordingly. For example, if data quality is a common barrier, firms can focus on building measurement capability before setting ambitious targets.

Similarly, if supplier engagement is identified as a key opportunity, firms can consider how to incorporate carbon criteria into procurement decisions. That might involve updating tender documents, engaging suppliers on their own emissions, or choosing partners based on verified sustainability credentials. In many cases, these actions align with sustainable procurement practices that also improve supply chain resilience and risk management.

Peer benchmarking and practical next steps

One of the webinar’s main attractions is the opportunity to benchmark internal progress against peer sentiment. BSI’s research base of more than 7,000 business leaders provides a broad snapshot of where companies are in their decarbonisation journeys. That can help sustainability teams answer questions such as: Are we ahead or behind? Are the barriers we face common or unique? Are we prioritising the right actions?

Benchmarking can also help strengthen the internal business case for continued investment. If peer data shows that most companies are struggling with Scope 3 measurement, for example, it becomes easier to justify budget for supplier engagement or data systems. Conversely, if peer data shows that early movers are gaining competitive advantage, it can help make the case for faster action.

The session is also likely to cover practical actions that organisations can take in 2026. While the draft materials do not specify these in detail, typical actions in this space include setting science-based targets, improving emissions data quality, engaging suppliers on decarbonisation, and integrating climate risk into financial planning. For UK SMEs, these actions often need to be tailored to available resources and commercial priorities.

Firms looking to accelerate their own progress may find it useful to focus on a small number of high-impact actions. For example, improving energy efficiency can reduce emissions and cut costs at the same time. Engaging suppliers on carbon performance can improve supply chain resilience while meeting customer expectations. Building internal capability through training can ensure that sustainability is embedded across the business, not siloed in a single team.

Key facts from the webinar announcement

• The webinar is titled Decarbonisation in 2026: The risks, drivers and actions shaping business progress.
• It is hosted by edie in partnership with BSI and aimed at sustainability and energy leaders.
• The session draws on BSI’s latest UK Net Zero Barometer and G7 Net Zero Temperature Check.
• These reports represent insights from more than 7,000 business leaders across the UK and G7 markets.
• The webinar covers risks, drivers, opportunities, and practical actions shaping business decarbonisation in 2026.
• The session is designed to help attendees compare their own progress against peer sentiment and current business conditions.

What this signals for sustainability professionals

The webinar highlights a shift in the decarbonisation conversation from strategy to execution. For many companies, the most difficult challenges are no longer high-level pledges but the practical realities of delivery. These include data collection, emissions measurement, supplier influence, budget constraints, and aligning climate action with growth.

The use of survey data from thousands of leaders also suggests that business attitudes toward net zero remain an active area of debate. In a period where political, economic, and regulatory conditions continue to change, the webinar’s value lies in identifying where companies are building momentum and where hesitation remains.

For sustainability teams, that can mean several things. First, benchmarking internal progress against peers to identify gaps and opportunities. Second, identifying common barriers so that resources can be focused where they will have the most impact. Third, prioritising actions with the greatest operational and commercial benefit. Fourth, strengthening the business case for continued investment in decarbonisation by demonstrating alignment with market trends and peer activity.

The session is also a reminder that standards, verification, and assurance are becoming more central to climate strategy. Companies are not just being asked to set targets. They are being asked to demonstrate credible progress, disclose meaningful data, and show how decarbonisation aligns with broader business objectives. Consequently, firms that invest in measurement, reporting, and governance are likely to be better positioned to meet stakeholder expectations and access new opportunities.

For SMEs, the practical implications are clear. Decarbonisation is no longer optional. It is increasingly a condition of doing business, particularly in sectors with strong sustainability expectations or public sector supply chains. However, the path to net zero does not have to be complex or prohibitively expensive. Small, targeted actions can deliver measurable progress while also reducing costs and improving resilience.

How UK firms can prepare for implementation

Businesses looking to move from ambition to implementation can take several practical steps. First, establish a clear understanding of current emissions. That means measuring Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions at a minimum, and starting to gather data on Scope 3 where possible. Without accurate data, it is difficult to set credible targets or track progress.

Second, set targets that are ambitious but achievable. Science-based targets provide a useful framework because they align with climate science and are widely recognised by stakeholders. However, targets should also reflect commercial realities and available resources. Setting a target that cannot be delivered risks damaging credibility and morale.

Third, engage suppliers and customers on decarbonisation. Supply chain emissions often represent the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint. Therefore, influencing supplier behaviour can have a significant impact. That might involve setting carbon criteria in procurement, offering support to suppliers on measurement, or collaborating on joint initiatives. For firms that need support in this area, sustainable procurement guidance can help structure the approach.

Fourth, build internal capability. Decarbonisation is not a project that can be delegated to a single person or team. It requires buy-in across the business, from finance and operations to procurement and sales. Training and awareness-raising can help ensure that sustainability considerations are embedded in decision-making at all levels. Resources such as SBS Academy training can provide practical skills in areas such as carbon measurement, reporting, and strategy.

Fifth, integrate climate considerations into financial planning. Decarbonisation requires investment, whether in energy efficiency, renewable energy, data systems, or supplier engagement. However, many of these investments also deliver financial returns through lower energy costs, reduced risk, or improved competitiveness. Making the financial case for decarbonisation helps secure budget and ensures that climate action is seen as a business priority, not a compliance obligation.

Where to find further information

The webinar is hosted by edie and full details are available on the edie website. The session is designed for sustainability and energy leaders who want to understand the latest trends, risks, and opportunities in business decarbonisation.

BSI publishes its UK Net Zero Barometer and G7 Net Zero Temperature Check as part of its broader work on standards, assurance, and sustainability. Further information on BSI’s research and standards development is available through the BSI Group website. These resources can help businesses understand the evolving landscape of climate standards and expectations.

For UK businesses looking to build their own decarbonisation strategies, government guidance is also available. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes resources on topics including energy efficiency, emissions measurement, and climate risk. Similarly, UK Research and Innovation supports innovation in clean technology and business decarbonisation through its funding programmes.

Firms that need tailored support on carbon reporting, target-setting, or compliance can also explore advisory services designed for SMEs. For example, carbon reporting and compliance support can help businesses meet regulatory requirements while building the foundations for long-term decarbonisation. Similarly, ESG compliance services can provide guidance on reporting frameworks, stakeholder communication, and governance structures.