What drives the economy in 2025? AI, sustainability, efficiency improvement – what are the topics that will continue to make transformations in companies necessary in 2025? In our 5-part interview series, our experts from the fields of Transformation of Business, Digital, Sustainability, AI, and Work share their assessments.
“Companies should now set clear goals and KPIs based on robust ESG data, endorsed by the company management.”
Eva Huaman Campos, Managerin & Head of Business Sustainability bei Campana & Schott
CS: Eva, you're working in the field of sustainability at Campana & Schott. This area is rapidly evolving, as it represents a crucial aspect of our future. What challenges and opportunities do companies face in this dynamic environment?"
Eva Huaman Campos: To address climate change, the European Union (EU) has launched the EU Green Deal, a comprehensive growth strategy aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. To reach this goal, the EU has implemented various sustainability regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy. However, the current economic situation in Germany, along with geopolitical crises and shifts in power, is causing a de-prioritization of these regulations, creating uncertainties for companies.
CS: What do you think will be the most important drivers for companies in the field of sustainability within this dynamic environment?"
Eva Huaman Campos: In 2025, the shift towards sustainable processes and business models will be primarily driven by consumer and investor demand, as well as regulatory requirements. A key focus will be on ESG compliance and reporting.
CS: How can companies navigate the uncertainties you've mentioned and still remain effective? What do you see as the key sustainability issues that will be particularly important in the coming year?
Eva Huaman Campos: Uncertainty around sustainability regulations will be a major issue in 2025. Despite this, climate neutrality, sustainable supply chains, and the circular economy will remain highly relevant. Companies should continue to focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues, gather data, set goals, and regularly report on their progress. This is essential to advance sustainability efforts and contribute to the overarching goal of climate neutrality.
CS: Achieving the critical goal of climate neutrality requires more than short-term actions. How can companies ensure their sustainability strategies are successful in the long run?
Eva Huaman Campos: Companies should set clear goals and KPIs based on robust ESG data, with strong support from management. These goals need to be integrated into the overall strategy and embraced by the company culture. Transparent communication and reporting on ESG initiatives are crucial for gaining stakeholder trust and staying competitive.
Just as eventful as the end of 2024 was, 2025 has already started. Topics such as digitalization including AI, increasing sustainability or searching for efficiency improvement potentials on one hand but also crises, supply bottlenecks, and political uncertainties on the other hand continue to reflect the comprehensive transformations and disruptions that companies are currently operating within.
With government elections in the USA as well as those still pending here in Germany, the framework conditions for economic activities in Germany, the EU, and the world are being redefined. Resilience, agility, and innovation seem to remain core competencies that can secure companies' competitiveness.
We are interested in which challenges and trends will move companies this year. Read about it in our 5-part interview series with opinions from our experts from the fields of Transformation of Business, Digital, Sustainability, AI, and Work.
For further reading:
Teil 1 – Business Transformation
Teil 2 – AI Transformation
Teil 3 – Work Transformation
Teil 4 – Digital Transformation
