A global survey of business leaders has found near-unanimous support for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity, with 97% of executives at mid-sized and large companies backing the shift.
The findings, published on Monday, were commissioned by climate and energy advocacy groups E3G, Beyond Fossil Fuels, and the We Mean Business Coalition. The research, conducted by Savanta, surveyed executives across 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, and Japan.
Nearly four out of five respondents (78%) said they support moving to a renewable electricity-based system by 2035 or earlier. A majority indicated that government inaction could drive businesses to relocate operations or supply chains to countries offering more accessible clean power.
“The polling shows that nearly 80% of business executives strongly support a rapid shift to renewables,” said Nick Mabey, CEO of E3G.
The report suggests growing corporate consensus that clean energy is integral to long-term strategy. Three-quarters of those surveyed linked renewables to enhanced energy security, while 77% associated them with economic growth and 75% with job creation.
“There’s a clear signal from business: clean energy is now seen as the foundation for long-term competitiveness and growth,” said Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition.
More than half of executives surveyed said they would consider shifting operations to regions with better access to renewables. Additionally, 87% supported phasing out coal-fired power within the next decade, with two-thirds favoring renewables, grid upgrades, and storage as alternatives to new gas infrastructure.
Regionally, support for rapid action was strongest in emerging economies. In Brazil, 89% of executives said they backed a renewables-based electricity system by 2035. In India and Indonesia, over 90% supported ending reliance on coal within ten years.
Some barriers were also highlighted. In the UK, permitting delays and grid infrastructure were seen as key challenges. In Türkiye, 39% of respondents cited fossil fuel lobbying as a significant obstacle, while 43% of South Korean executives called for accelerated grid investment.
Corporate leaders from companies including Iberdrola, Schneider Electric, Interface, Signify, and Natura said their organisations are already moving towards renewables. They urged governments to improve permitting processes and implement clearer policies to attract investment.
The groups behind the report said governments must now act decisively, establishing strong policy frameworks, investing in workforce retraining, and providing incentives to enable a just and rapid energy transition.
