The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) has published its annual SDG2000 list, which highlights the 2,000 companies that it says have the greatest potential to influence progress – or hinder it – toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The companies featured in this year’s SDG2000 report, Shaping Tomorrow: The Role of the World’s 2,000 Most Influential Companies in Driving Progress Towards the SDGs, are headquartered across 83 different markets and operate in 221 countries, with combined revenues of $48 trillion – equivalent to 46% of global GDP.
Notably, these companies collectively account for over half (54%) of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, yet only a third have validated emissions reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Some 49 of the companies featured in the report have even withdrawn their targets.
‘Transformation of big business’
“Our collective future depends on the transformation of big business,” commented Gerbrand Haverkamp, executive director of the World Benchmarking Alliance. “WBA created the SDG2000 to help hold powerful companies to account for their social and environmental impact. Together, they represent 2,000 reasons why we urgently need better business leadership, which includes holding laggards to the same standards that so many companies are not only adhering but going beyond.
“We need to make companies’ impact on people and the planet genuinely consequential to their success. I urge companies to join us in asking for stronger corporate accountability mechanisms, so that leaders are celebrated and laggards scrutinised. No single group or person can hold businesses accountable on their own: CEOs, directors, employees, customers and investors all have a critical role to play.”
The companies featured in the report operate across key sectors such as healthcare, energy, food, housing, technology, finance, and transportation, while more than three fifths are in three sectors: manufacturing (31%), finance & insurance (20%) and wholesale and retail trade (10%).
The majority (70%) are publicly listed, while 18% are privately held, and 12% are wholly owned by governments.
Growth driver
Haverkamp added that the successful companies of the future will integrate sustainability into their business models, not merely as compliance but as a driver of growth and resilience.
“The most successful businesses of tomorrow will not simply comply with regulations — they will lead on sustainability, harnessing it to drive long-term growth, mitigate risks, and enhance their brand and reputation,” he said. “We need to recognise and reward those willing to break away from the pack.” Read more here.
