Not according to recent research conducted by PwC which has revealed that the proportion of businesses committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 has nearly doubled since the previous year’s survey, increasing from 28% to 47%.
The study, which encompassed 750 UK businesses and 50 UK public sector organisations, also analysed the energy challenges encountered by companies and their approaches to financing energy investments.
The survey indicates that 89% of businesses have reported an increase in energy consumption over the past year, with 20% of respondents experiencing a rise of more than 10%. This trend is expected to persist, with 83% of businesses forecasting further growth in energy consumption by 2025.
The survey highlights technology as the primary factor contributing to this increase, with 34% of companies attributing higher energy demand to energy-intensive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and electrification. Business growth and expansion are also significant factors, cited by 33% of respondents as key contributors.
Energy Efficiency
The study indicates that for 26% of businesses, reducing carbon emissions is the primary objective in energy management, taking precedence over other goals such as reducing energy consumption or lowering unit costs. In practice, businesses are making strides by implementing cost-effective efficiency measures.
About 55% have switched to LED lighting, 42% have signed renewable energy agreements, and 40% use on-site solar. Progress is slower with expensive projects: only 33% have redesigned offerings for energy efficiency, and a similar proportion have retrofitted buildings or adopted heat pumps and EVs.
Public sector organisations prioritise reducing energy consumption, with 36% ranking it as their top goal. They face challenges such as high capital costs and a lack of in-house energy expertise. Specifically, 36% of public sector respondents cited this expertise gap, compared to 19% in the private sector.
Read the full PwC Energy Survey 2025 here.
26th February 2025
