European Sustainability: An Opportunity to Lead by Example Over the United States

This IDC Market Note explores the challenges faced by European Union (EU)-based sustainability services organizations, emphasizing the need for strategic decisions to address these issues and best practices for maintaining competitiveness in uncertain markets. The sustainability services market is growing rapidly, yet remains uncertain due to shifting global trends and evolving governmental regimes. New climate policies, reporting directives, and green procurement standards create a complex regulatory environment that can change with political cycles or economic pressures. Geopolitical tensions, inflation, and recession risks further complicate sustainability initiatives, requiring organizations to be agile and adaptable. The transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting and emerging litigation risks necessitate frequent recalibration of long-term strategies to align with changing expectations and requirements.