2025 – The year to embrace sustainable practice
Businesses have a key role to play in helping the UK meet its Net Zero target and in building a more resilient economy. Embracing sustainable practice is now mission critical, not only in addressing the climate end biodiversity crisis but in future proofing operations. Those that rise to the challenge in 2025 will minimise risks and gain competitive advantage.

Our top 5 sustainability trends for 2025 are:
- Increased legislation
2025 will be a year of expanding regulatory frameworks around ESG. Top of the list is the widening scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The directive has now extended its reach beyond European businesses to those based outside the union that that have significant operations or sales within the EU. More businesses than ever will find themselves having to comply with CSRD’s strict reporting requirements.
In addition, the UK is expected to adopt the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) S1 and S2 standards in 2025. April will also see the adoption of the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (SRS). They will create a UK green taxonomy whilst requiring qualifying businesses to present transition and make a range of ESG disclosures. To learn more about your regulatory obligations read Wylde’s eBook Navigating Sustainability Reporting and Taxation.
Securing compliance is critical but many businesses lack the knowledge and resources to take the necessary action. At Wylde we help businesses understand the regulatory landscape and help them go beyond compliance to build more resilient operations. As part of that offer, we have just launched Enveglas ESG Diagnostic Tool, designed to help you identify the minimum criteria needed to unlock contract opportunities and meet legal and statutory requirements. It is the first step on the road to understanding your organisation’s ESG readiness and ensuring compliance with global sustainability frameworks and emerging legislation.
- Doubling down on Net Zero
The new Labour government has committed to meeting the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target and will use its powers of persuasion and regulation to get business on board. Demand for products and services with a lower carbon footprint is already focusing minds on decarbonisation and that trend is set to continue in 2025.
Wylde is supporting a growing number of businesses in calculating their baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, giving them the insight they need to develop ambitious carbon reduction plans and report on their progress.
As part of our consultancy offer, we help clients identify where they can reduce negative impacts, be it by embracing renewable energy, reducing waste or changing their business model to support the circular economy. Beyond their own operations, we work with them to decarbonisation their supply chains and work in collaboration with stakeholders for maximum impact. To learn more, read our eBook 7 Steps to Net Zero.
- Becoming nature positive
Wylde’s eBook The Business of Biodiversity, explores how business is reliant on natural capital and provides a practical guide to regenerative practice. 2025 is likely to see increased investment in addressing biodiversity loss and reevaluating our relationship with the natural world.
ESG reporting requirements are now moving beyond carbon and requiring businesses to think more holistically about their environmental impacts. Companies large and small will increasingly scrutinise their value chains to identify ways in which they can help protect species and their habitats.
From supporting tree planting projects to reducing reliance on plastics, we are seeing growing awareness of the need to protect our precious flora and fauna. The Wylde team has a wealth of experience in conservation, and we believe that being nature positive is a key component of a robust sustainability strategy.
- The S in ESG
Environmental stewardship is a cornerstone of sustainable practice, but it is important to not lose sight of the S in ESG. During 2025 we are likely to see far more focus on social impact. As reporting requirements are ramped up, businesses will need to work harder at demonstrating how they are putting people at the heart of their interventions. Whether it be monitoring the diversity of the workforce, addressing the gender pay gap or driving standards in health and safety, our clients are increasingly taking a people first approach.
Having strong social values not only improves your ESG credentials – it also helps attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive recruitment market. Yet it is important to extend that culture beyond the workplace. What more can your business do to have a positive impact on the local community? How are people treated across your supply chain? What due diligence do you carry out around human rights and modern slavery? Read our eBook Achieving Positive Social Impact Through Sustainable Practice to learn more.
- Bridging the skills gap
According to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2024, employers are struggling to secure the sustainability skills they need. Demand for workers with green skills in the UK grew by 46% in 12 months and a lack of supply is a major barrier to adopting sustainable practice. Negotiating these ESG trends requires skillsets many businesses do not have access to.
Working with a trusted consultancy such as Wylde Connections will significantly boost your capabilities. Our team of experts can help take the strain and ensure that you meet your goals. We also understand that many businesses want to grow their own sustainability specialists by upskilling their existing workforce.
In response we have developed an extensive learning offer. Wylde is an accredited IEMA training centre and offers internationally recognised qualifications like the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management (PIEMA), PIEMA is respected for its rigorous standards and certification marks a key milestone for those driving environmental standards, providing a framework to support current efforts and helping delegates maximise impacts on the triple bottom line.
In addition, we have curated a range of expert-led training programmes and bespoke packages designed to meet your unique requirements. Whether it be our Sustainability Awareness for Leaders and Managers training course, or workshops developing a range of green business skills, we have it covered. A full list of our training programmes can be found in our Course Catalogue.
Whatever 2025 has in store, Wylde is here to help you take the next steps on your sustainability journey. Book a Discovery Call today and talk to our team about how we can transform your business through best-in-class sustainability consultancy.