G7 Net Zero Temperature CheckInsights from the Healthcare sector© 2026 BSI. All rights reserved.1G7 Net Zero Temperature Check © 2026 BSI. All rights reserved.2G7 countries, and the businesses in them, are at various stages of their net zero journeys. Amidst geopolitical instability, rising energy costs and political change, questions have been raised about the cost of net zero, the commitment of businesses to sustainability and how they can turn ambition into action. Over the past decade, the awareness of sustainability issues posing a risk to public health has grown1, shifting the conversation within the healthcare sector from a focus on reducing operational waste and energy use, to a holistic approach to emissions reduction across the entire supply chain. There is now clear consensus that reaching net zero requires a coordinated, sector-wide approach. To understand better understand this, BSI surveyed 7,000 G7* business leaders to understand their attitudes to and progress on net zero. By exploring business attitudes, key drivers and barriers, and progress across the sector, this research can support the shared understanding and collaboration needed to accelerate change.Net zero is perhaps more important today than ever, and, as the global healthcare sector grapples with the transition, BSI will help them turn ambition into action, develop comprehensive plans to achieve their targets, and accelerate progress towards a resilient and sustainable world.1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10340760/#sec8-healthcare-11-01867*Research was conducted by Censuswide in February 2026, covering 7,068 business leaders in G7 countries (UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan). Data was weighted to the profile of the business population in each country, specifically in terms of their size / number of employees, to ensure that ‘total’ figures reported are based on a nationally representative profile of businesses.Across the G7, in political and media circles, there has been ongoing discussion of businesses rowing back on their commitment to net zero. This may be true in some cases, however this research finds that, overall, healthcare businesses remain committed in their focus. In fact, despite scepticism in some quarters, 77% of healthcare business leaders say economic growth and net zero can happen together. Three quarters (74%) say net zero will help grow the economy, create jobs, and strengthen energy security.Looking back, this ongoing commitment is manifested not just in intent, but in action too. A fifth (19%) said their business had significantly increased its overall level of action on net zero in the last year, while 60% said it had increased overall. Nor do they expect to change course. Looking ahead, four out of five (81%) report being committed to achieving net zero by their national target, and 75% say it is important for their business to maintain momentum on net zero. For most, the indication is this will be sustained; 38% are confident they expect to increase investment in net zero in the next year, while just 25% expect a reduction. Commitment to and investment in net zero© 2026 BSI. All rights reserved.3While many highlighted net zero as a pressure point, some also identified pursuit of net zero as a differentiator, an opportunity, or even a business imperative. 68% said if their competitors scaled back their action, their business’s continued net zero efforts would give them a competitive advantage. Meanwhile, 29% of healthcare business leaders said they were driven to act on net zero to achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies. While a fifth cited gaining access to government incentives (20%) and mitigating climate risks (19%). 70% said they think net zero will open new markets and innovation opportunities.For some, the motivation for sustained commitment is clearly environmental responsibility. But for others, the data suggests that they feel they have already put in considerable resource to decarbonize their operations over the last decade, thus do not wish to change course now. 70% of sector leaders say reducing net zero efforts would risk their business losing its prior investment and increase its future costs. © 2026 BSI. All rights reserved.477% say the economic risks of not pursuing net zero outweigh the risks of transitioningIf commitment is continuing, leaders are nonetheless cognizant of their operating context, and their decision-making is being shaped by numerous external factors. That means that, in some cases, timelines are shifting or the level of practical action is changing. Over a quarter of sector businesses, for example, indicated they had revised their net zero plans (28%) and reevaluated their targets (29%). Yet only 12% had paused targets and only 10% had dropped targets; broadly speaking most have not chosen to row back on commitments. This evolution of net zero plans shows no sign of stalling; looking ahead just under half (45%) intend to revise their ne...
