Executive summary The green economy is already a multi-trillion- dollar market and one of the biggest growth opportunities on the planet. In 2024, this global market surpassed $5 trillion in annual value, after a decade of unprecedented momentum from both the private and public sectors. Today, climate investments continue to grow, despite a diverging global environment. Recent geopolitical developments, energy security considerations and short-term economic pressures have shifted the conversation on climate action. But actual investments in the green economy continue to increase. The market is currently projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2030, making the green economy one of the most dynamic growth sectors on the planet – second only to technology.1 Yet green markets are moving at different speeds. Low-emission technologies and adaptation solutions are here to stay. But while the direction seems clear, momentum and speed vary significantly across technologies and regions. Proven and economic solutions such as solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles will continue to grow across most geographies, albeit at different paces. More immature and costly technologies such as low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) may not – as they still require favourable and often much more local regulation. Geographically, the green economy is increasingly led by China, which is consistently outspending, outproducing and out-deploying other countries. Adaptation and resilience solutions now account for more than one-fifth of all climate-related investments. The resulting market extends beyond the Global South, long the frontline of climate impacts, into the Global North, where risks are mounting as rapidly. The global opportunity has not got smaller, but the need to understand fundamental market needs, economics and regulatory environments in different geographies has become much more important for navigating it.For those making bold moves in the green economy, the bet seems to be paying off. Companies in the green economy often outperform. On average, they manage to grow green revenues two times faster than conventional revenues, typically get access to cheaper capital, build competitiveness for the future and accordingly are often valued at a premium on capital markets. Nonetheless, winning in the green economy is not always easy. At its core, growing in this market requires the same business fundamentals as any successful venture: a clear purpose and strategy, a compelling value proposition and an agile operating model built for rapid scale. But often, it needs more. Winning companies accelerate growth by rigorously pushing for technology maturity and bringing down costs of nascent technologies. They are often able to shape favourable regulation and mobilize early adopters. And they are able to unlock smart capital in support of a viable business case for their green offering. Investments in decarbonization and resilience are not just essential for communities around the world. In many cases, they are a winning business strategy. The green market is already a massive opportunity and there is plenty of unmet future demand for companies to serve. Further, it provides a material opportunity for governments to accelerate GDP growth, push innovation, strengthen resilience and create jobs. Two years ago, in the World Economic Forum’s Winning in Green Markets: Scaling Products for a Net Zero World, we argued that pioneering in green markets is a bet that would pay off and that large-scale green markets would become a reality proving the business case. Reality has not disappointed.The green economy is worth over $5 trillion per year – the world’s most dynamic growth sector after technology. Winners in this market push for tech maturity and cost efficiency, shape their ecosystems and unlock smart capital. Already a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Market: CEO Guide to Growth in the Green Economy 4

Already a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Market 2025