Will Richardson of 51 to Carbon Zero covers ten trends shaping corporate climate action. Global clean-energy investment hit a record £2.3 trillion in 2025, but companies spend only 0.3% of revenue on climate transition. Greenwashing paralysis and tightening ESG rules are forcing large organisations to move beyond talk.
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So this is our top 10 weekly insights from me, Will Richardson, at 51 to Carbon zero. So number one is the UK National Wealth Fund is backing green infrastructure. This is relevant for any organisation that is £50 million turnover and above, particular reference to the food and beverage and media and marketing and advertising firms. The UK National Wealth Fund will crowd in £100 billion worth of private capital by 2031. for green infrastructure and climate projects. So large corporates like yours must get ready to access these funds. Number 2, there's been a record surge in global clean energy investments. This is relevant for a broad audience of £50 million turnover or above organisations. Global clean energy investment smashed records at £2.3 trillion in 2025 pouring into renewable grids and electric vehicles, but it's still not enough to hit climate targets. Number 3, the North Sea offshore wind super basin by 2030 to 2050. This is relevant for organizations with £50 million turnover or above. North Sea nations are pledging €9.5 billion for 100 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2050, turning the region into the world's biggest clean energy hub to slash power costs. Number 4: Corporate climate transition budgets still marginal. This is relevant for organisations of £50 million turnover or above. So early adopters are only putting in 0.3% of revenue into climate transition plans, mostly their own operations and supply chains. This signals massive underinvestment and opportunity. Number 5, AI and automation as energy efficiency levers relevant for broad audience. This is for £50 million turnover above organizations. Businesses are turning to AI tools to optimize energy across sites, data centers, and production lines for fast— faster returns on efficiency projects. Number 6, greenwashing paralysis stalling private sector action relevant for a broader audience of £50 million turnover or above. Sustainability leaders say reputational fears are the top blocker holding back credible climate and nature investments, even when capital's ready. Number 7: Advertising and media is under fire for enabling greenwash. This is relevant for the media and marketing agencies. Ad Insiders are calling out agencies for helping polluters greenwash and ditching DEI. Now you need ironclad proof of client sustainability claims. Number 8: ESG and reporting rules are tightening for larger firms. This is relevant for £50 million turnover above organisations. New 2026 UK and EU ESG rules ramp up disclosure assurance and transition planning demands for mid and large companies. It's time to professionalise now. Number 9, the UK has Hop farming builds climate resilience. This is relevant for the food and beverage sector. Asahi UK is partnering with farmers and researchers to bulletproof British hop production against extreme weather and rising temperatures. Nature, water risk, and blue carbon moving centre stage. This is relevant for organizations of £50 million turnover or above. Davos is shifting focus from just carbon to nature and water risks, prioritizing projects that deliver biodiversity gains alongside emission cuts. Thanks so much for listening to this week's top 10, and I look forward to speaking to you Next Friday.
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