Key findings
- Upfront capital cost and payback periods hold back around half of organisations in both markets: 49% in the US and 48% in the UK.
- Policy and regulatory uncertainty is the top barrier in the US, named by 56%. In the UK it is 42%.
- Grid connection delays are named by 43% in the UK and 28% in the US.
- 30% of US organisations and 22% of UK ones say they cannot verify the return on sustainability spend.
What is the biggest barrier to decarbonisation investment?
It depends on the market. We asked 250 sustainability decision-makers in each country to rank their top three barriers to increasing investment in clean energy or decarbonisation.
In the US, policy and regulatory uncertainty comes first, chosen by 56%. Upfront capital cost and payback periods is second on 49%.
In the UK, capital cost comes first on 48%. Grid connection delays (43%) and policy uncertainty (42%) are close behind.
The US is held back by policy. The UK by the grid
What are the most significant barriers to increasing your organisation’s investment in clean energy or decarbonisation? (Ranked in top three)
- United States
- United Kingdom
View data
| Measure | United States | United Kingdom | Gap (points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy and regulatory uncertainty | 56% | 42% | 14 |
| Upfront capital cost and payback periods | 49% | 48% | 1 |
| Grid connection delays | 28% | 43% | 15 |
| Can’t verify the return on sustainability spend | 30% | 22% | 8 |
Why is policy the US problem?
Because the rules keep moving. US organisations are 14 points more likely than UK ones to name policy and regulatory uncertainty. With federal climate disclosure rules in question and states such as California pressing ahead with their own, companies are budgeting against a rulebook they cannot predict.
Why is the grid the UK problem?
Because the investment can be approved and still not switched on. UK organisations are 15 points more likely than US ones to name grid connection delays. A project that cannot connect does not deliver a return, however well it is funded.
Two markets, two different bottlenecks
What this means
"Why aren't businesses investing in net zero?" has no single answer, which is a problem for anyone running one campaign or one policy ask across both markets.
In the US, the unlock is certainty. Messages about ambition miss the point when the barrier is not knowing which rules will apply.
In the UK, the unlock is infrastructure. Businesses here support climate regulation by wide margins. What they lack is a connection date.
In both, half the market is stuck on payback. A fifth to a third cannot show the return at all, which is a measurement problem before it is a funding one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest barrier to decarbonisation for US businesses?
Policy and regulatory uncertainty. 56% of US sustainability decision-makers rank it among their top three barriers, according to The Reality Department.
What is holding back net zero investment in the UK?
Upfront capital cost (48%), grid connection delays (43%) and policy uncertainty (42%).
Are grid connection delays a bigger problem in the UK than the US?
Yes. 43% of UK organisations name grid connection delays as a barrier, against 28% in the US.
Methodology
The Reality Department surveyed 500 sustainability decision-makers: 250 in the United States and 250 in the United Kingdom. Fieldwork: August 2026. Respondents ranked their top three barriers. Figures show selection at any rank.
Related: Do businesses support mandatory climate disclosure?
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