Sustainability drives UK firms’ tech choices & vendor selection

New research from Expereo shows that environmental sustainability is becoming a decisive factor for UK businesses in selecting technology partners.

The findings come as technology leaders face increasing pressure to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into core business strategies. The data, sourced from an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo and titled "Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility," indicates a clear movement towards using ESG to drive growth and operational improvements, rather than simply meeting compliance requirements.

The research reveals that 67% of UK businesses now insist upon formal sustainability credentials when choosing external technology vendors. Furthermore, close to one in five-18%-require significant ESG accreditations as a non-negotiable part of their partnership criteria. This growing demand for demonstrable environmental responsibility is shaping the UK enterprise technology landscape and altering procurement processes across the sector.

The study also found that a majority of UK businesses are associating tangible business outcomes with sustainability commitments. Specifically, 51% of respondents believe that advancing environmental sustainability will lead to improved customer satisfaction, while 45% link it to increases in operational efficiency. Meanwhile, 35% think that a stronger focus on sustainability will help deliver a competitive advantage in the market.

These findings are prompting organisations to re-examine how their IT infrastructure and investment priorities align with sustainability objectives. Networks and connectivity have been identified as a primary area for improvement, with 48% of respondents stating they are critical to enhancing IT sustainability. Second on their list is cloud infrastructure, cited by 39%, followed by AI and data platforms at 34%. The data suggests a growing awareness in the UK business community of the environmental impacts associated with digital operations and the need for scalable, energy-efficient solutions.

Looking ahead, environmental sustainability is expected to drive future technology investment. The report states that 20% of UK businesses plan to prioritise sustainability-focused solutions-such as those reducing energy consumption and emissions-over the coming twelve months. This indicates a willingness to commit budget and resources in line with environmental and efficiency objectives.

Sujata Kukreja, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Company Secretary, says: "Sustainability is no longer a side conversation - it's central to how businesses operate, innovate, and grow. Technology leaders recognise that ESG isn't just about compliance; it's about building resilient, future-ready organisations. Enterprises must align every aspect of their technology strategy, including connectivity and infrastructure requirements, with their sustainability goals. This will ensure growing revenue opportunities and underpin their effective environmental stewardship for the long term."

The growing prominence of sustainability requirements is also reshaping the relationship between enterprises and technology vendors. The increased scrutiny of vendor ESG credentials highlights a broader shift toward transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. By adopting increasingly rigorous expectations, UK businesses are sending a clear message that environmental stewardship is non-negotiable for establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships in the technology sector.

The research findings suggest that sustainability, once regarded as ancillary to technology decision-making, has now become a business-critical concern. With pressure from regulators, customers and investors mounting in the run-up to significant international climate meetings, UK organisations are formalising their approach to ESG in procurement and investment decision-making.